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A N 
 
 HISTORY 
 
 Of the Ancient and Illustrious 
 
 FAMILY 
 
 OF THE 
 
 SPENCERS, 
 
 Earl of Gloucefter in the Reign of King 
 Richard the Second, 
 
 Barons Spencer, Earls of Sunderland, 
 
 AND 
 
 Duke of Marlborough. 
 
 Colle&ed from Records, Old Wills, Manuscripts, 
 our moft approved Historians, and other Authentick 
 Authorities. 
 
 By Arthur Collins, Efqj 
 Author of the Peerage of England, &c. &c. 
 
 LONDON, Printed in the Year 1755, 
 
1 360 1 
 
 CHURCHILL, Duke of Marlborough. 
 
 JOHN, Duke of Marlborough, eldeft furviving fon of Sir 
 Winfton Churchill, (defcended from an antient family feat- 
 cd at Churchill, in the county of Somerfet, from whence they 
 had their name) having for his great and manifold fervices been 
 created Duke of Marlborough, and Marquis of Blandford, 
 14 Dec. 1702, in the ift year of Queen Anne; and his honours 
 in 1706, by act of parliament limited to his daughters, and 
 the heirs male of their bodies fucceffively, I am now to treat 
 of him, and his defendants. 
 
 On his Grace's deceafe, the following relation was incerted 
 in our Gazette, No. 6068. Whitehall, June 16, 1722. 
 " This morning about four o'clock, died at Windfor, the 
 <c moft Noble John, Duke of Marlborough, Captain General 
 ? c of his Majelty's Forces, Mailer General of the Ordinance, 
 " Knight of the moft Noble Order of the Garter, &c. Whofe 
 * c great and fuccefsful actions in the fervice of his country, will 
 * 4 tranfmit his name with glory to all pofterity." And the faid 
 moft noble Prince has merited to be mentioned, with that vene- 
 ration his immortal actions deferve, by every one in Europe, 
 who does not wilh to fee it fall under the dominion of univerfal 
 monarchy. I (hall therefore infert a (hort enumeration of his 
 unparalleled victories and exploits, juftly infcribed on a monu- 
 mental pillar at Blenheim, near Woodftock, in a plain, elegant^ 
 rnafculine ftyle; the only panegyrick they require, being found-? 
 pd on facts univerfally known, and are as follows^ 
 
 The Caftle of Blenheim was founded by Q. ANNE, 
 In the fourth Year of her Reign, 
 In the Year of the chriftian ./Era 1705 ; 
 A Monument defign'd to perpetuate the Memory of the 
 fignal Victory 
 Obtained over the French and Bavarians, 
 Near the Village of Blenheim, 
 On the Banks of the Danube, 
 By JOHN Duke of MARLBOROUGH. 
 The Hero not only of his Nation, but his age ; 
 Whofe Glory was eo^al in the Council and in the Field; 
 Who by Wifdom, juftice, Candour and Addrefs, 
 Reconciled various, and even oppofite Interefts, 
 Required an Influence, which no Rank, no Authority can give a 
 Nor any Force but That of fuperior Virtue. 
 J3ec£rr ? e tbf fixed important Center, 
 
 Which 
 
Churchill, 'Duke of Marlborough. 361 
 
 Which united in one common Caufe 
 The principal States of Europe ; 
 Who by military Knowledge, and irrefiftible Valour, 
 In a long Series of uninterrupted Triumphs, 
 Broke the Power of France, 
 When raifed the higheft, when exerted the mod: 
 
 Refcued the Empire from Defoiation ; 
 Afferted, and confirmed the Liberties of Europe. 
 Philip, a grandfon of the Houfe of France, united to the 
 interefts, directed by the policy, fupported by the arms of 
 that Crown, was placed on the Throne of Spain. King 
 WILLIAM the Third beheld this formidable union of two 
 great, and . once rival, Monarchies. At the end of a Life 
 fpent in defending the liberties of Europe, he faw them in 
 their greateft danger. He provided for their fecurity in the 
 moft effeaual manner. He took the Duke of MARLBO- 
 ROUGH into his fervice. 
 
 Ambaffador extraordinary and Plenipotentiary, 
 To the States-General of the united Provinces. 
 The Duke contracted feveral alliances before the Death of 
 King WILLIAM. He confirmed and improved Thefe. 
 He contracted Others, after the acceflion of Queen ANNE; 
 and re-united the confederacy, which had been diflblved at 
 the end of a former war, in a ftricter and firmer league. 
 Captain General and Commander in Chief 
 Of the Forces of Great-Britain, 
 The Duke led to the field the army of the allies. He took 
 with furprizing rapidity, Venlo, Ruremonde, Stevenfwaert, 
 Letge. He extended and fecured the frontiers of the Dutch. 
 The enemies, whom he found infulting at the Gates of 
 Nimeghen, were driven to feek for fhelter behind their lines.. 
 He forced Bonne, Huy, Limbourg, in another campaign. 
 He opened the communication of the Rhine, as well as the 
 Maes. He added all the country between thefe rivers to his 
 former conqueft. The arms of France, favoured by the de- 
 fection of the Elector of Bavaria, had penetrated into the 
 Heart of the Empire. This mighty Body lay expofed to 
 Immediate ruin. In that memorable crifis, the Duke of 
 MARLBOROUGH led his troops with unexampled cele- 
 rity, fecrefy, order, from the Ocean to the Danube. He 
 faw ; he attacked ; nor flopped, but to conquer the Enemy. 
 He forced the Bavarians, fuftained by the French, in their 
 ftrong intrenchments at Schellenberg. He pafTed the Danube. 
 A fecond royal army, compofed of the beft troops of France, 
 was fent to re-inforce the firft. That of the confederates 
 was divided. With one part of it the fiege of Ingolftadt was 
 parried ori. With the other the Duke gave battle to the 
 
 unite4 
 
362 Churchill, Duke of Marlborough. 
 
 united ftrength of France and Bavaria. On the fecond day 
 of Auguft, 1704, he gained a more glorious vidtory than 
 the hiftories of any age can boaft. The heaps of (lain were 
 dreadful proofs of his valour. A Marfhall of France, whole 
 legions of French, his prifoners, proclaimed his mercy. Ba- 
 varia was fubdued. Ratifbon, Augfbourg, Ulm, Meminghen, 
 all the ufurpations of the enemy, were recovered. The li- 
 berty of the Diet, the peace of the Empire were reftored. 
 From the Danube the Duke turned his victorious arms to- 
 wards the Rhine and the Mofelle. Landau, Treves, Traer- 
 bach, were taken. In the courfe of one campaign the very 
 nature of the War was changed. The invaders of other States 
 were reduced to defend their own. The frontier of France 
 was expofed in its weakeft part to the efforts of the allies. 
 
 That be might improve this advantage ; that he might 
 pufh the fum of things to a fpeedy decifion, the Duke of 
 MARLBOROUGH led his troops early in the following 
 year once more to the Mofelle. They, whom he had faved 
 a few months before, negletied to fecond him now. They, 
 who might have been his companions in conqueft, refufed to 
 join hirn. When he faw the generous defigns he had formed 
 fruftrated by private interefr, by pique, by jealoufy, he re- 
 turned with fpeed to the Maes. He returned ; and Fortune 
 and Victory returned with him. Liege was relieved ; Huy 
 re-taken ; the French, who had preffed the army of the 
 States-General with fuperior numbers, retired behind in- 
 trenchments, which they deemed impregnable. The Duke 
 forced thefe intrenchments, with inconiiderable lofs, on the 
 ieventh day of July, 1705. He defeated a great part of the 
 army, which defended them. The reft efcaped by a preci- 
 pitate retreat. If advantages proportionable to this fuccefs 
 were not immediately obtained ; let the failure be afcribed to 
 that misfortune, which attends m oft confederacies ; a divifion 
 of opinions, where one alone fhould judge ; a divifion of 
 powers, where one alone fhould command. The difappoint- 
 xr.ent itfelf did honour to the Duke. It became the wonder 
 of mankind, how he could do fo much under thofe restraints, 
 which had hindered him from doing more. 
 
 Powers more abfoljute, were given him afterwards. The 
 encreafe of his powers multiplied his victories. At the open- 
 ing of the next campaign, when all his army was not yet 
 aflembled ; when it was hardly known that he had taken the 
 field, the noife of his triumphs was heard over Europe. On 
 the 1 2th of May, 1706, he attacked the French at Ramillies. 
 In the fpace of two hours their whole army was put to flight. 
 The vigour and conduit, with which he improved this luc- 
 cefs, were equal to thofe, with which he gained it. Louvain, 
 
 Brufleis 
 
Chur chilk Duke of Marlborough. 363 
 
 Bruflels, Malines, Liere, Ghent, Oudenard, Antwerp, 
 Damme, Bruges, Courtray, furrender'd. Oftend, Menin, 
 Dendermond, Aeth, were taken. Brabant and Flanders, 
 were recovered. Places, which had refitted the greateft Ge- 
 nerals for months, for years ; Provinces, difputed for ages, 
 were the conquefts of a fummer. Nor was the Duke content 
 to triumph alone. Solicitous for the general intereft, his 
 care extended to the remoteft fcenes of the war. He chofe 
 to leflen his own army, that he might enable the leaders of 
 other armies to conquer. To this it muft be afcribed that 
 Turin was relieved ; the Duke of Savoy rc-inftated ; the 
 French driven with confufion out of Italy. 
 
 Thefe victories gave the confederates an opportunity of car- 
 rying the war on every fide, into the dominions of France. 
 But Ihe continued to enjoy a kind of peaceful neutrality in 
 Germany. From Italy fhe was once alarmed, and had no 
 more to fear. The entire reduction of this power, whofe 
 ambition had caufed, whofe ftrength fupported the war, feem- 
 ed referved for Him alone, who had lb triumphantly begun 
 the glorious work. 
 
 The barrier of France, on the fide of the Low-Coun- 
 tries, had been forming for more than half a century. What 
 art, power, expence could do, had been done to render 
 it impenetrable. Yet here flie was moft expofed ; for here 
 the Duke of MARLBOROUGH threatened to attack 
 her. 
 
 To cover what they had gained by furprize, or had been 
 yielded to them by treachery, the French marched to the 
 banks of the Schelde. At their head were the Princes of the 
 blood, and their moft fortunate general, the Duke of Ven- 
 dofme. Thus commanded, thus pofted, they hoped to check 
 the vi&or in his courfe. Vain were their hopes. The Duke 
 of MALBOROUGH palTed the river in their fight. 
 He defeated their whole army. The approach of night con- 
 cealed \ the proximity of Ghent favoured their flight. They 
 neglected nothing to repair their lofs, to defend their frontier. 
 New generals, new armies appeared in the Netherlands. 
 All contributed to enhance the glory; none were able to 
 retard the progrefs of the confederate arms. 
 
 Lifle, the bulwark of this barrier, was befiegcd. A nu- 
 merous garrifon, and a marftial of France defended the place. 
 Prince Eugene of Savoy commanded, the Duke of MARL- 
 BOROUGH covered and fuftained the fiege. The ri- 
 vers were feized, and the communication with Holland in- 
 terrupted. The Duke opened new communications, with 
 great labour, and much greater art. Through countries, 
 pver-run by the enemy, the neceflary convoys arrived ir* 
 
364 Churchill^ Duke of Marlborough. 
 
 fefety. One alone was attacked. The troops, which at- 
 tacked it, were beat. The defence of Lifle was animated by 
 affurances of relief. The French aflembled all their force. 
 They marched towards the town. The duke of MARL- 
 BOROUGH offered them battle, without fufpending the 
 fiege. They abandoned the enterprize. They came to fave 
 the town. They were fpe£iators of its fall. 
 
 From this conqueft, the Duke haftened to others. The pofts 
 taken by the enemy on the Schelde were furprized. That 
 river was paffed the fecond time; and, notwithstanding the 
 great preparations made to prevent it, without oppofition. 
 
 BrufTels, befieged by the eledlor of Bavaria, was relieved. 
 Ghent furrender'd to the Duke in the middle of a winter 
 remarkably fevere. An army, little inferior to his own, 
 marched out of the place. 
 
 As foon as the feafon of the year permitted him to open 
 another campaign, the Duke befieged and took Tournay. 
 He inverted Mons. Near this city the French army, cover- 
 ed by thick woods, defended by treble intrenchments, wait- 
 ed to moleft, nor prefumed to offer battle. Even this was 
 not attempted by them with impunity. On the laft day of 
 Auguft 1709. the Duke attacked them in their camp. All 
 was employed, nothing availed againft the refolution of fuch 
 a general, againfl the fury of fuch troops. The battle was 
 bloody. The event decifive. The woods were pierced. 
 The fortifications trampled down, The enemy fled. The 
 town was taken. Doway, Bethune, Aire, St. Venant, 
 Bouchain, underwent the fame fate, in two fucceeding years. 
 Their vigorous refinance could not fave them. The army 
 of France durft not attempt to relieve them. It feemed pre- 
 ferved to defend the capital of the monarchy. 
 
 The profpedl of this extreme diftrefs, was neither diftant, 
 nor dubious. The French acknowledged their conqueror., 
 and fued for peace, 
 
 Thefe are the a&ions of the D. of M A R L B O R O U G H a 
 Performed in the Compafs of few Years; 
 Sufficient to adorn the Annals of Ages. 
 
 The Admiration of other Nations. 
 Will be conveyed to latefl Pofterity, 
 In the Kifiories even of the Enemies of B r i t a i 
 The Senfe, which the British Nation had, 
 Of his tranfcendent Merit, 
 Was expreffed 
 
 In the molt folemn, moft effectual, mod durable Manner. 
 
 The Acts of Parliament, infcribed on this Pillar, 
 Shall ftand 
 
 As long as. the B R I t i s h Name and Language lafr, 
 
 Illuilrious 
 
Churchill) Duke of Marlborough. 365 
 
 Illuftrious Monuments. 
 Of MARLBROUGH's Glory 
 And 
 
 Of Britain's Gratitude. 
 
 His Grace married Sarah, daughter and one of the co-heirs 
 to Richard Jennings of Sandridge, in the county of Hertford, 
 Efq ; by whom he had one fon John, born on the 13th of 
 January, 1686, and died at Cambridge on the 20th of February, 
 1705, alfo four Daughters, viz. 
 
 The Lady Henrietta, married to Francis, Earl of Godolphin, 
 who by a£l of parliament, as before has been obferved, fucceed- 
 ed as Dutchefs of Marlborough. And her Grace departing this 
 life on the 24th of O£tober, 1733, was interred in Weftminfter- 
 Abbey, on the 9th of November following, near her father- 
 in-law the Earl of Godolphin, with this infcription on her ccffin. 
 
 The moft illuftrious Princefs Henrietta, Dutchefs of 
 Marlborough, Princefs of the Holy Roman Empire, Mar- 
 chionefs of Blandford, Countefs of Marlborough, Baronefs 
 Churchill of Sandridge, Countefs of Godolphin, late Con- 
 fort of the moft noble potent Lord Francis, Earl of Godol- 
 phin, Vifcount Rialton, and Baron Godolphin, died the 
 24th of O&ober, in the year 17335 and in the 53d year of 
 her age. 
 
 And leaving no iffue male, her titles devolved on her nephew, 
 Charles Earl of Sunderland, now Duke of Marlborough. 
 
 Lady Anne, fecond daughter, was married to Charles Spen- 
 cer, Earl of Sunderland, and died on the 15th of April, 17 16, 
 by whom ftie had iffue Charles, now Duke of Marlborough, as 
 fucceflbr to the faid Henrietta, Dutchefs of Marlborough. 
 
 Lady Elizabeth, third daughter, was married to his Grace 
 Scroop Egerton, now Duke of Bridgewater, and died on the 
 22d of March, 1713-14. And, 
 
 The Lady Mary, was the wife of his Grace John late Duke 
 of Montague, of whofe defendants I fhall treat in their pro- 
 per place. 
 
 Creations.] Baron Churchill of Sandridge, in Com. 
 Hertford, by letters patent 14 May, 1685, 1 Jac. II. Earl of 
 Marlborough, in Com. Wilts, 9 Apr. 1689, 1 Will, and 
 Mar. Marquis of Blandford, in Com. Dorfet, and Duke of 
 Marlborough, in the aforefaid county of Wilts, 14 Decern. 1702 
 1 Ann. 
 
 Arm s.] Sable, a Lion rampant, Argent, in a Canton of St. 
 George \ of the fecond, a Crofs, Gules, being an Augmentati- 
 on. 
 
 Crest.] On a Wreath, a Lion couchant-guardant, Ar- 
 gent, fuftaining with his dexter Paw a Pennon, Gules, charg'd 
 with a Unifier Hand coup'd at the Wrift, and ereft, Argent. 
 
 1 Sup- 
 
366 Spencer \ Duke of Marlborough. 
 
 Sup porters.] Two Wyverns, Gules, each gorg'd 
 with a plain Collar, Or, having an oval Shield pendant there- 
 from, upon the Breaft garnilhed Gold ; the Bexter charged with 
 St. George's Badge, Argent, a Crofs, Gules ; and the Sinifter 
 with St. Andrew's, viz. Sable, a Saltire, Argent. 
 
 Motto.] Fiel pero Desdecado. 
 
 C h 1 e F-S eats belonging to his Grace's family.] At Blen- 
 heim in Oxfordftiire, near Woodftock, 59 miles from London ; 
 and at Holloway-Houfe at St. Alban's, in the county of Hertford, 
 20 miles from London. 
 
 SPENCER, Duke of Mar /borough. 
 
 CONCERNING the original of this family, it was 
 of noble degree in Normandy, before the Conqueft ; 
 for Robert Defpencer was Steward to William the Conqueror, 
 and one of his Barons ; as is fully manifeft from authentick re- 
 cords: A I fo that his pofterity were denominated from the faid 
 office of Defpencer (i.e. Steward) is teftihed by the learned 
 Camden, in his difcourfe on furnames a ; who mentions the 
 Spencers, to be defcended from the Defpencers, the De (when 
 furnames were fully introduced) being omitted for brevity, as 
 by innumerable inftances in other families might be proved. 
 
 The faid Robert Defpencer had by gift from the Conqueror 
 the following Manours, which he held at the time of the gene- 
 ral furvey b ; viz. Merfton, Leth, Filingeli, and Bertanftone, in 
 Warwickfhire; Tozintone, Scrivelfbi, Wilgefbi, Endrebi, Par- 
 tenai, Butide, Tadewelle, Tuleftone, Rocftune, Cuningefbie, 
 Meringhe, Herdertoy, Stepinge, Langetone, and Holtham, in 
 Lincolnihire ; Legre, Torp, Redeclive, Cuningeftone, Odeftone, 
 Efmoditone, Chibarde, Norton, Wicote, Stantone, Sucowe, 
 Sacreftone, Snarchtone, Flechene, Wiftanefton, Tiletone, and 
 Sumerdeberie, in Leicefterftiire; and Wicvene, in Greleftain 
 Hundred, in Gloucefterfhire. 
 
 He was brother to c the Earl of Montgomery, and to Urfo de 
 Abetot d , hereditary Sheriff of Worcefterfhire, foon after the 
 Conqueft; who, in fome Records, is call'd Urfo de Worceftre, 
 as being conftable of the Caftle of Worcefter, and held, at the 
 time of the general furvey, twenty lordfhips, which defcended 
 to Walter de Beauchamp (a great Baron) who married c Emeline 
 his only child. 
 
 a Remains, p. 12 & 126. b Docmfday, Lib. iniifdem. Com. c Atkins's 
 Hift. of Glouc. p. 717. d Regilt. Wigcrn, in Bibl. Cotton. • Dug,. 
 
 Bar. Vol. I. P. . . . 
 
 X The 
 
7/:« 
 
Spencer, Duke of Marlborough. 367 
 
 The aforefaid Robert Defpencer is mentioned among the 
 Bifhops and Barons, aflembled in council with King f William 
 the Conqueror, in London, A. D. 1082, in the 27th year of 
 his reign ; at which time they fet their hands and Teals to the 
 charter of Will, de Carilepho, Bifliop of Durham ; which fets 
 forth, that the church of Durham being neglected, and by the 
 barbarity of facrilegious perfons, neither monks or canons left 
 therein ; he does thereupon determine, to bring the monks from 
 Weremuth and Girwe; alfo, that the liberties of the church of 
 Durham, with the lands (therein particularly mention'd) mould 
 be preferv'd inviolable for ever; laying this anathema on the 
 violators : That all or any perfons, who fhall prefume to pro- 
 phane this charter, or change any thing therein, unlefs for the 
 better, u By the authority of the Prince of the Apoftles, I de- 
 <c prive them of the fociety of the Lord, the aforefaid 
 <( Pope Gregory, and the Church ; and refer ve them, by the 
 4C judgment of God, to be punifhed by everlafting fire, with 
 " the devil and his angels. Amen." 
 
 In the next year he was witnefs to a charter of the s King's, 
 dated at Weftminfter in council, for removing the fecular 
 canons out of the fame church, and placing monks in their tread ; 
 to which zSt the Bifhops and Barons at that time likewife fet 
 their hands and feals. He was afterwards witnefs to a grant of 
 the fame h King, of the whole city of Bath, with the coinage 
 and toll thereto belonging, to John, Biihop of Bath, and his 
 fucceflbrs, for the better fupportof his fee. 
 
 The monks of Worcefter have recorded this* Robert Defpen- 
 cer for a very powerful man; and that he took the Lordfhip of 
 Elmeliegh from them, which they could never after regain. 
 He was fucceeded by. 
 
 William le Defpencer (or Steward) to King Henry I poffeflbr 
 ^f k of the manour of Elington. After whom was Thurftan le 
 Defpencer, Steward to the fame King; of which Thurftan, 
 Mr. Camden 1 (relating wife fpeeches of King Henry I.) gives 
 an account from the old hiftorian [Gualterus Mapes de Nugis 
 Curialium,] That Thurftan, the King's Steward, or Le De- 
 fpencer (as he was then called) exhibiting to the King a com- 
 plaint againft Adam of Yarmouth, clerk of the fignet, for that 
 he refufed to fign, without fee, a bill pafs'd for him : That 
 Prince thereupon hearing the difference, reconciled them ; mak- 
 ing this fpeech, officers of the court muji gratify and Jbew a caji 
 of their office, not only one to another, but alfo to all Jlrangers, 
 whenfoever need fhall require. This Thurftan had, as I take it 
 from records, four fons, Walter, Lord of Stanley, Ufher of the 
 
 f Monaft. Angl. Vol. T. p. 43, b. 
 p. 185. b. » Regift. Wigorn. prsed. 
 in Bib. Eodl, i Remains, p, 247. 
 
 e Ibid p. 44. a. h Ibid. 
 
 k Leland. Collcft. Vol. I. p. 840. 
 
 Chamber 
 
368 Spencer, Duke of Marlborough. 
 
 Chamber to King Henry II. who died without iffiie; Almaric* 
 Hugh, and Geffrey. <■ 
 
 Almaric was Sheriff of Rutlandshire m Anno 34 Henry II. 
 and 1 Rich. I. and being Steward to the laft-mention'd King, 
 enjoy'd of his gift n the manour of King's Stanley in Gloucefter- 
 fhire. In 8 Rich. I. he was 0 acquitted of the third fcutage of 
 Normandy ; and in the 5th of King John, he had a p confirma- 
 tion in Fee of the lordfhips of Wurdie, and Stanley, in the 
 vale of Gloucefter, (being ftiled in the record, fon of Thurftan, 
 brother and heir of Walter, fon of Thurftan); which lordfhip 
 of Wurdie, King H. II. formerly gave to * Walter aforefaid, 
 brother to this Almaric, for his homage and fervice, for the 
 fame a pair of gilt fpurs, or twelve pence, to be paid yearly 
 into the Exchequer at the feaft of St. Michael the archangel; 
 and to hold by the fervice of half a knight's fee. And the year 
 after, he gave a fine of one hundred and twenty marks, and one 
 palfry, to be exempted from attending the King in his purpos'd 
 expedition beyond fea. By his charter, fans date, he beftow- 
 ed the lands which r William Delaman held of his Father 
 Thurftan, on the monks of Bruern, com. Oxon. He took to 
 wife Amabil, daughter to Walter de Chefnei, by whom he had 
 iffue two fons s , Thurftan and Almaric, likewife a daughter^ 
 married to r William Bardolph. 
 
 The faid Thurftan Defpencer, with his brother Almaric, with 
 Thomas Defpencer, and other Barons, took up arms againft 
 King John, for the recovery of their privileges ; for which the 
 King ieiz'd the lands of 0 Almaric, and gave them in the 18th 
 year of his reign, to Ofbert Giffard, his own natural fon ; having 
 the year before committed the cuftody of Thurftan x to Row- 
 land Blewit. 
 
 This Thurftan, in the * 19th, 20th, and z 22d of Hen. III. 
 was Sheriff of Gloucefterfhire ; fo likewife for the firft quarter 
 of the 23d year; and in the 26th of Hen. III. when he was 
 commanded to attend the King with horfe and arms at a 
 Xan£ton, to vindicate the injuries he had receiv'd from the 
 King of France. He died about the 33d of Hen. III. for then 
 the wardfhip of his lands lying in the counties of Wilts, Surry, 
 Gloucefter, Oxon and Worcefter b , during the minority of his 
 heir, was commited to Adomare de Lezignian, and the manor 
 of c Ewelme in Com. Oxon. affigned to Lucia his Widow 5 
 
 m Rot. Pip. de iifd. Aran. R Atkins's Glouc. p. 7*7. G R. Pip. 
 
 8 Ric. I. Salop. P Cart. An. 5 Joh. N. 52. « Cart, Antiq. D D. 
 
 Numb. 8. r Geneal. Nobil. Antiq. per Cook. Clar. MS. Not. B. 15 in Bib. 
 
 John Anftis, Ar. Garter, Reg. Armor. s Ibid. t Rot. i J ip. 8 Ric. I. 
 
 Northampt. u Clauf. 1$ joh. m. 7. x Ib'.d. A. 17 Joh. m. 16. 
 
 y Atkins's Glouc. p. 73. * R. Pip. 22 Hen. III. a Rymer's Feeder. 
 
 Vol.1, p. 405. * Clauf. 33 Hen. III. m. 3. c Ibid. 
 
 for 
 
Spencer, Duke of Marlborough. 369 
 
 for her maintenance, till her dowry fhould be fet forth; but the 
 faid heir dying unmarried, I now return to 
 
 Hugh Defpencer, one of the fons of Thurftan, firfl: mention- 
 ed, and brother to Geffrey, of whom I fhall hereafter treat. 
 This Hugh Defpencer went with King Richard I. to the Holy 
 Land, and was with him d at the fiege of Aeon ; after which 
 I find him in the 8th year of King Hen. III. conftituted Sheriff 
 of • Salop and Stafford, and f Governor of the Caftles of Salop 
 and Bruges (now commonly called Bridgnorth) ; as alfo in the 
 10th of Hen. III. * Sheriff of Berkshire, for the one half of 
 that year, and h Governor of Wallingford Caftle; having the 
 year following a grant from the King of the * manour of Rihal 
 Com. Rutl. likewife in 17th of Hen. III. to be Governor of 
 k Bolefover Cattle in Com. Derb. and in 21ft of Hen. III. was 
 fent, with Stephen de Segrave and Henry de Aldithley, to take 
 charge of the Caftles of Chefter and Beelton. He was fucceed- 
 ed by another of his name. 
 
 Hugh Defpencer, who is faid by fome authorities, to be fon 
 of 1 Geffrey ; but by ra others, to be fon of Thomas Defpencer, 
 a Witnefs to the confirmation charter of n Ranulph, Earl of 
 Chefter, to Rouceftre priory, in Com Stafford. And in the 
 13th of King John, is found with his wife the daughter and 
 heir of Hugh de L'Ifle, to 0 hold Lands in the counties of Not- 
 tingham and Derby, by knight's fervice, and I fuppofedied in that 
 year; for then the faid Hugh de L'lfle gave p two hundred marks, 
 and an horfe of price, for the marriage of his daughter and 
 heir; and in the 15th of that King, William de Cantilupe paid 
 two hundred marks for her, to be a wife for his fon * ; her name 
 being Catharine. 
 
 I therefore take the faid Hugh to be fon of the laft Hugh, and 
 being one of the greateft Barons of that time, and taking arms 
 with other nobles, in defence of their antient privileges, he was 
 by them, in the * 42c! of Hen. III. chofen one of the twelve, 
 who, with twelve other Barons, nominated by the King, were 
 to amend and reform what they (hould think amifs in the 
 Kingdom : Likewife in the 44th of Hen. III. he was advanced 
 to that great s office, of Chief Jufticiar of England (which in 
 thofe days comprehended the jurifdiction of all the prefent law 
 courts) ; and in the 48th of Hen. III. appear'd in arms againft 
 the King at Northampton. At the battle of Lewes, the 14th 
 
 * E. Cod. MS. A/hmol, Numb 1120. in Mufaeo Oxon. « Pat. 8 Hen. III. 
 
 m. 12. f Ibid. * Rot Pip. A. 10 Hen. III. h Pat 10 Hen. III. 
 
 m. 3. ■ Cart. A. 11 Hen. III. m. 3. k Pat A. 17 Hen. III. m. 3, 
 
 * Vifit Com. Northampton, A. 161 7. m E. Coll. R. Glover, Somerfet 
 Herald. ■ Mon. Angl. Vol. II. p 26S b. 0 Lib. Rub. in Seed. 
 
 * Rot. Pip. A. 13 Joh. Northton. * Rot. Fin. A. 15 Joh. m.2. r Brady's 
 Hift. of Engl. Vol, I. p. 625. * Matt. Weftm. in A, 1260, & Matt. 
 Paris. 
 
 Vol. L B b of 
 
37 o Spencer, Duke of Marlborough. 
 
 of May, the fame year, he behav'd hirnfelf very bravely, tak- 
 ing prifoner ( Marmaduke de Twenge, who compounded, to 
 pay a ranfom of feven hundred marks for his liberty. After 
 this battle (wherein the King was taken prifoner) the Barons 
 made him Governor of u Oreford Caftle in Com. Suffolk ; as 
 alfo of the Caftles of Devifes in Wiltfhire, Bernard Caftle 
 in the biftioprick of Durham, Oxford, and Nottingham : And 
 on the 8th of June following, the King fends his writ x for all 
 the cities, burghs and tov/ns on the coafts of Norfolk and 
 Suffolk, to be obedient to the directions of Hugh Defpencer, 
 his jufticiary: Alfo the 8th of September following, he was 
 conftituted one of the fix Procurators, and y Commiffioners, 
 to treat, in the prefence of the King of France, and G. Bifhop 
 of La Sabina, legat of the apoftolick fee, or either of them, 
 about the reformation of the ftate of the Kingdom, with power 
 to do whatever they thought fit in the matter. He was likewife, 
 one of the z three that they confided in, to be always a- 
 bout the King. Neverthelefs, he afterwards fell from the 
 Barons a, being difgufted at the haughty behaviour of Mount- 
 fort, Earl of Leicefter, who b took all the profits, and revenues 
 of the Kingdom, and ranfom of prifoners to his own ufe, 
 which by agreement w T as to have been divided ; and the faid Earl 
 was thereupon conftituted jufticiary in the 49th of Hen. III. 
 However, he put hirnfelf in arms again with them, and fighting 
 with great courage at the battle of Evefham, which happen'd on 
 the 5th of Auguft the fame year c (49 Hen. III.) he there loft 
 his life. 
 
 This Hugh (by d Oliva his wife, daughter of Philip BafTet 
 of Wicombe, in Com. Bucks, widow of Roger Bigod, Earl of 
 Norfolk) was father to c Hugh le Defpencer, of full age, Anno 
 10 Edward I. who with f Hugh le Defpencer, his fon, are thofe 
 whom our Hiftorians fo largely treat of ; differencing them, by 
 Hugh Defpencer, fenior, and Hugh, junior, the one, Earl of 
 Winchefter, Anno 15 Edw. II. and the other (in right of his 
 wife 8 Elianor, eldeft daughter, and coheir of Gilbert, Earl of 
 Clare, Gloucefter, and Hertford, and of Joan his wife, one of 
 the daughters of King Edw. I.) Earl of Gloucefter; both of 
 them the moft powerful perfons of their time, and pofleflbrs of 
 the greateft eftates, and the unhappy favourites of King Edw. 
 
 n. 
 
 Hugh, the father h had honourably diftinguifh'd hirnfelf under 
 King Edw. I. in his wars in Wales; alfo in Fiance, Flanders, 
 
 * Clauf. A. 48 Hen. III. m. 8. « Pat. A. 48 Hen. III. m. 7. x Ibid. 
 Numb. 11. y Brady's Hift. of Engl. Vol. I. p. 645. z Ibid. p. 649. 
 
 a Lei. Col. Vol. II. p. 378. b Brady ut antea, p. 650. c Ibid. p. 652. 
 
 • Pat. 49 Hen. III. m. 5. c E. Stem, penes Joh. Anftis, Ar. praed. 
 
 f Ibid. « Ibid. » Dugdale's Baron. Brady's Hift. &c. 
 
Spencer \ Duke of Marlborough. 371 
 
 and Scotland ; being likewife employ'd in feveral great embaflies. 
 And Hugh, the fon (who was chamberlain to King Edward II.) 
 was not lefs remarkable for many brave actions in the wars of 
 Scotland and France; but firmly adhering to that unfortunate 
 Prince in all his troubles, they both fufrered death, the elder 
 (tho' in the 90th year of his age) being condemn' d unheard, and 
 immediately executed before the face of his own fon and the 
 King ; and the younger (tho' he had by capitulation fafety as to 
 life and limbs, when he ftoutly defended the Caftle of Kaerfilli) 
 would not forfake his Prince, but venturing with him to the laft, 
 and being again taken, underwent the fate of his father 5 and 
 King Edward, afterward depofed, was barbaroufly and inhuman- 
 ly murthered. 
 
 This Hugh Defpencer, the younger, was one 1 of the godfa- 
 thers to King Edward III. and left I flue three fons k , Hugh, 
 Edward, and Gilbert, as alfo by other authorities *, Philip, 
 anceftor to Sir Philip Spencer, a Baron of the realm, in the reign 
 of King Richard II. the daughter and heir of which line, Mar- 
 garet, was married to Sir Robert Went worth, from whom thofe 
 of that name at Elmfal, in Com. Ebor. defcended. 
 
 Hugh, the eldeft, in 2 Edw. III. being in prifon m , under 
 the cuftody of Roger Mortimer, Earl of March, was removed 
 to the Caftle of Eriftol, there to be detain'd; but fome time 
 after, the King ordered his releafe, and {hewing him favour, 
 he betook himfelf to his fervice in the wars ; being in that ex- 
 pedition into Gafcoigne, 7 Edw. III. and in that of Scotland, 
 in 9 of Edw. III. enjoy'd the lands of his mother's inheritance n , 
 Anno 11 Edward III. and ferving in feveral expeditions againft 
 France, and Scotland, was made a Knight Banneret, and fum- 
 mon'd to parliament, among the Barons, in that reign ; but died 
 without ifTue in the 23d of Edw. III. leaving Edward, fon of 
 his brother Edward, his next heir. 
 
 Which Edward was fummon'd to 0 parliament, among the 
 Barons, from 31 to 39 Edward III. inclufive; and departed 
 this life, in the Caftle of Caerdiff, upon Martinmas day, 49 
 of Edw. III. (a great Baron, and a good Knight, faith Froiffard) 
 leaving Thomas, his fon and heir, then two years of age. 
 
 Which Thomas (called Thomas, Lord Defpencer and Mor- 
 ganock) was created Earl of Gloucefier by King Richard II. 
 and exhibiting his petition to the parliament p , Anno 21 Rich. 
 II. for revocation of the judgment of exile, againft his great- 
 grandfather, Hugh le Defpencer, had it granted. 
 
 » Barnes's Hift. Ed. III. p. 1. k Mon. Ang. Vol. I p 156. 1 Geneal. 
 
 Nobil. per Cook Clar. praed. m Clauf. 20 Ed. m. 3, n Rot. Fin. 
 
 11 Ed. III. m. 27. 0 Dugdale's Summons to Parliament. t Rot. Pari. 
 21 Ric. 11. Numb, 35, 
 
 Bb 2 
 
 In 
 
372 Spencer, Duke of Marlborough. 
 
 In which petition * it appears that the faid Hugh was then pof- 
 fefs'd of no lefs than fifty-nine lordfliips in fundry counties, twen- 
 ty-eight thoufand Iheep, one thoufand oxen and fleers, twelve 
 hundred kyne with their calves, forty mares with their colts 
 of two years, a hundred and fixty drawing horfes, two thoufand 
 hogs, three thoufand bullocks, forty tuns of wine, fix hundred 
 bacons, fourfcore carkaffes of martinmas beef, fix hundred mut- 
 tons ; in his lardere, ten tuns of cider, armour, plate, jewels, 
 and ready money, better than ten thoufand pounds; thirty-fix 
 facks of wool, and a library of books. 
 
 This Earl took to wife * Conflance, daughter of Edmund of 
 Langley, Duke of York, fon to King Edw. III. by whom he left 
 one fon, called s Richard, who died at 14 years of age; and a 
 daughter, Ifabel, who was wife, firft, to 1 Richard Beauchamp, 
 Lord Bergavenny, and afterwards Earl of Worcefter ; but furviv- 
 ing him, without iflue, married, fecondly, Richard Beauchamp, 
 Earl of Warwick, by whom {he was mother to Henry, Duke 
 of Warwick, who died without iffue male. 
 
 Having thus far trac'd the principal branch, I now return to 
 Geffrey, brother of Hugh, fon of Thurftan, firft treated of. 
 
 Which Geffrey was the firft founder of u Marlow Abby,Com. 
 Bucks, and is a witnefs to King Henry II. Confirmation of 
 lands to x Bungey Abby Com. Suff. dated in the 19th year of 
 his reign : Which King among other grants, confirms that of 
 Geffrey Defpencer, of the church of Boynton * to Bridlington 
 priory Com. Ebor. He died* Anno 26 Hen. III. (1251) leaving 
 iffue John, his fon and heir, under age, whofe guardianfhip was 
 granted to Emma his mother. 
 
 Which John was of full age Anno 40 Hen. III. at which 
 time being ftil'd fon of Geffrey, and holding 60/. per Ann. Land, 
 in Com. Leicefter, and 1 5 in Com. Southampton, he a was called 
 to receive the honour of knighthood. In 41 of Hen. III. 1256 
 Pope Alexander direfls his bull, to the bifhop of b Salifbury 5 
 wherein he fets forth that John Defpencer, by petition prays, that 
 he may build a chapel, and have a chaplain, in his manour of 
 Swalefield, which he is ready to endow ; his faid manour lying 
 in a foreft, in which he liv'd, and that it was unfafe for him 
 and his family to go to the mother church, by reafon many 
 thieves harbour'd in the faid foreft, and innundations in winter; 
 which matter the Pope refers to the faid bifhop to determine. 
 
 This c John, Adam Defpencer, and others of this family took 
 part with the Barons in their wars againft King Hen. III. and 
 
 « Rot. Pari, 21 Ric. II. Numb. 60, 64, and 65. r E. Stewmat. 
 
 * Ibid. e Ibid, * Mon. Angl. Vol. I. p. 445* x Ibld * P« 5* 6 ' 
 
 t ibid Vol II P. 16 v * Vifitat. Com. Northampton, in Coll. Armor. 
 
 A. 1617. ' ' a Lib. MS. in Bibl. Cotton. Claud, c. 1. » Rymer's Fad. 
 
 Tom, h P, 6xoi * Brady's Hift, of England, p, 643, 
 
 were 
 
Spencer, Duke of Marlborough. 373 
 
 were both taken prifoners at the battle of Northampton ; on 
 which account the d manours of the faid John, viz. Caftle- 
 Carlton, and Cavenby, Com. Line, which he held in right of his 
 wife, were extended by the King; but when the Barons had 
 taken that Prince prifoner, the faid John, and Adam, by mutual 
 • agreement were releas'd ; for by the King's writ to Roger de 
 Mortimer, dated 4th of June, 1 264, he was order'd to bring 
 them, among other prifoners, (taken in April laft, at Northamp- 
 ton fight) to f London, in order to their being fetat liberty. 
 He died before 3d of Edw. I. for by * inquifition taken that 
 year, at Gertre, Com. Leicefter, he is found to die poflefs'd of 
 the manour of Beranfby, and the moiety of Wigan de la Mare, 
 with feveral other lands; as alfo the hundred of Beaumaner, 
 held of Hugh Defpencer in foccage, paying annually apair of gilt 
 fpurs, price 6 d. and of the houfe and park there, worth yearly 
 6 s. 8d. Likevvife by another inquifition, dated the fame year, 
 taken at his manour of Marteley, Com. Wigorn, he is faid to 
 die poflefs'd of that manour, with the advowfonof the church 
 held in chief of the King, which his father had by gift of King 
 Henry. He had alfo reftitution of his manours of Caftle-Carl- 
 ton, and Cavenby ; for by two feveral inquifitions the fame year, 
 he is faid to die poflefs'd of them, in right of his wife Joan; but 
 having no iffue of her body alive, he held them only by the cour- 
 tefy of England ; and John de Merieth enter'd on the fame as his 
 right, by the death of Joan, daughter of Robert le Lou, late 
 wife of the faid John Defpencer, coufin of the aforefaid John de 
 Merieth, whofe heir he is, and at that time thirty years old. 
 
 This Sir h John Defpencer, had another wife, and left iffue 
 William le Defpencer, his fon and heir, ftiled of Belton, and 
 one of the jury at an 1 inquifition taken at Bredon 8 June, 34. 
 Ed. I. concerning the right of electing a priorefs of Langley, 
 Com. Leicefter. He refided at Defford, in Com. Wigorn; and 
 died poffeffed thereof about 3 Edw. III. k as appears by an in- 
 quifition taken at Perfliore, which likewife (hews that John 
 was his fon and heir, and of full age. 
 
 Which John, was in the retinue of John 1 King of Caftile, in 
 his voyage to Spain, and on that account had the King's letters of 
 protection for one year, bearing date 6 march, 1386 (9 R. II.) 
 He was afterwards Efquire of the body to King Hen. V. alfo 
 m keeper of his great wardrobe, and, attending him in his 
 warlike expeditions, was with him at the fiege of n Roan. He 
 
 d Efcaet. inceni Temp. R. Hem HI. Numb. 190. in Turr. Lond. c Brady, 
 ut fupra. f Rymer's Feed. Vol. I. p. 791. 8 Efcaet. 3 Ed. I. Numb. 2. 
 
 h Vincent's Baronage in Offic. Armor, Numb. 20. Vifit. Com. Northampton in 
 <ii&. Offic. Anno 1617. 1 Monaft. Augl. Vol. I. p. 481. b. k Efc. 
 
 A. 3 Ed. III. 1 Rymer's Feed. Tom. VII. p. 500. » Ibid. Vol. 9. 
 
 p. 471. a Lib. MS. in Mufco, Ammol. Numb. uao. 
 
 B b 3 had 
 
374 Spencer, Duke of Marlborough. 
 
 had iffue by • Alice his wife (daughter and heir of ... . De- 
 verell) Nicholas his fon and heir. 
 
 Who by p Joan his wife, daughter of . . . Polard, had iffue 
 two fons, Thomas and William. 
 
 Which Thomas was father of Henry Spencer, of Badby, in 
 Com. Northampton, Efq; as appears by a receipt dated Anno 
 1 3 H. VI. for fubfidies then paid to that King. 
 
 Which Henry took to wife Ifabel, daughter and coheir of 
 
 Lincoln, from whom proceeded four fons, John, 
 
 Thomas, William, and Nicholas, and died about r 17 Edw. 
 IV. his laft will and teftament bearing date Anno 1476, wherein 
 he appoints his fons, John and Thomas, executors, and Ifabel 
 his wife overfeer. The feal affixt were the arms the family now 
 bear, viz. Quarterly in the firjl and third a Fret, over all on a 
 bend, three Efcallops. He was fucceeded by his eldeft fon, 
 
 John Spencer, Efq ; who is mentioned in feveral Deeds of 
 feoffment with Sir Edward Rawleigh of Farneborough, Knight, 
 and others; particularly in 13 and 19 Edw. IV. when he fealed 
 with the arms of his mother and wife together, being both 
 heireffes; viz. OnaCrofs, five Stars of fix Points (his mother's); 
 and a Chevercn between three Cinqfioils, his wife's, who was 
 
 daughter and heir of Warned; by whom he had three 
 
 fons; 1. William, hereafter mentioned; 2. John Spencer, of 
 Hodnell, in Com. Warwick, Efq; who died 5 Anno 12 Hen. VII. 
 and held lands in eighteen feveral lordftiips ; as appears by his laft 
 will and teftament, dated 15 Sept. i486; by which he appoints 
 his body to be buried in the chancel of the parifti church of 
 Hodenhull, and confiitutes his nephew, John Spencer, of Snitter- 
 feild, Efq ; fon of his brother William, one of his executors; 
 entailing his lands on him in default of iffue male of his fon 
 Thomas, and in default of iffue of him, the faid John, to the 
 heirs males of Thomas, his late brother. 
 
 Which Thomas (3d and youngeft fon) had iffue William, who 
 had the eflate at 1 Badby, in Com. Northampton ; whofe fon * 
 Thomas Spencer, Efq; was of Everton in Bedfordfhirc, and * 
 left four daughters, co-heirs to their brother William Spencer of 
 the faid place. 
 
 \( William Spencer, Efq; (eldeft fon and heir of John) was 
 feated at Rodburne, in Com. Warwick, Anno 1 Hen. VII. (an 
 eftate * forfeited to the crown by the attainder of William 
 Catefby, Efq;) and having married Elizabeth, fifter to Sir Rich- 
 ard Empfon, Knt. had iffue a daughter, Jane, and two fons, 
 John, and Thomas; who were living Anno 2 Hen. VII. 
 
 0 Vifir, Com. Northampton, pra?oi£h P Ibid. & Vincent's Baron. praedicT:. 
 *> Vifit. Com. Northampton, predict. r Ibid. s Reg. Horn, in Cux 
 
 prrerog Cant. Qn. 4. 1 Ex Stemmat. predict. • Ibid. x Jb'vd. 
 
 y Dugdak's Warwickftire, p, 220. 
 
 John 
 
Spencer \ Duke of Marlborough. 375 
 
 John Spencer, eldeft fon, was denominated of z Snitterfeild, 
 in Com. Warwick; having acquired that eftate in right of his 
 wife, Ifabel, one of the daughters and co-heirs of Walter 
 Graunt, Efq; and in 12 H. VII. being wrote of that place, was 
 one of the executors to his couiin John Spencer, of Hodenhull. 
 On the 3d of September, 22 Hen, VII. he purchafed the great 
 Lordfhip of a Wormleighton, in Com. Warwick, and foon af- 
 ter began the ftruclure of a fair manour houfe there ; in which, 
 (when b inquifitions were taken concerning waftes and inclo- 
 fiires of lands in 9 and 10 Hen. VIII.) he was certified, to have 
 his refidence therein with fixty perfons of his family; being a 
 good benefactor to the church in ornaments and other things. 
 
 He was knighted by King Henry VIII. and by his laft will 
 and teftament c , it appears, that he was poflelTed of a very great 
 eftate, was a noble houfe-keeper, had a great reverence for the 
 clergy, was very liberal to his poor neighbours, as alfo bounti- 
 ful to his tenants and fervants : He in a manner rebuilt the 
 churches of Wormleighton in Com. Warwick, and Brinton, and 
 Stanton, in Com. Northampton, and gave thereto veftments and 
 chalices: And his other bequefts to religious houfes, and for 
 reparations of churches, are very numerous, as are alfo his 
 charities to his fervants, and others ; whereby it is evident that 
 he had a noble fpirit, tempered with the greateft humanity : He 
 was likewife fo honefl and juft, and of fo pious a difpofition, 
 " That he requires his Executors to recompenfe every one that 
 11 can lawfully prove, or will make oath, that he has hurt 
 u him in any wife, fo that they make their claim within two years, 
 <c though (as is recited) he has none in his remembrance; but 
 ** he had rather charge their fouls, than his own ftiould be in 
 " danger: And requires his executors to caufe proclamation 
 " thereof to be made once a month, during the firft year after 
 iC his deceafe, at Warwick, Southampton, Coventry, Ban- 
 u bury, Daventry, and Northampton. 
 
 " By this teftament, which is dated the 12th of April, 1522, 
 " in 13 H.VIIL d he bequeaths his body to be buried in the chan- 
 u eel of Brinton church in Com. Northampton, before the image 
 44 of our blefled Lady ; and that his executors caufe a tomb to be 
 44 made as nigh the wall as they can behind the fepulture. 
 
 He lies buried, according to his appointment, in the church of 
 Brinton, Com. Northampton, as appears by a monument, now 
 remaining on the north fide of the fouth chancel, ftiewing the 
 figures of a Knight in armour, and his lady in the drefs of 
 the times, lying on their backs, under an arch of free-ftone, 
 curioufly adorned with carvings. At his feet, againft the wall, is 
 this infeription in capitals, fetting forth his marriage and iflue, 
 
 2 Reg. Horn, praedifl. a Dugdale's Warwickshire, p. 405. fc Ibid* 
 
 c Ex Reg, voc. Manwaring in Cur. przerog> Cant, qu, 24, * Ibid* 
 
 B b 4 Here 
 
376 Spencer, Duke of Marlborough. 
 
 Here lieth the bodies of Sir Iohn 
 Spencer knight, and dame Isabell his 
 wife, one of the davghters and coheiers 
 of Walter Gravnt of Snitterffild 
 in the countie of war. esqvier her 
 mother was the davghter and heire 
 of humphrie rudinge of the wlch 
 in the covn: of worcester esqj which 
 Iohn and Isabel had issu sir Willm * 
 Spencer knight, t. Anthony Spencer 
 2. who died without issu, Iane, wife 
 to Richard Knightley esquier, sone & 
 heire of sir rlchard knightley of 
 Fawsley in the covntie of north: 
 knight, Isabell married to sir Nics 
 Strelly of Strelly in the covtie 
 of Not: knight, Dorothye married 
 to sir Rich: Catesbie of Legers 
 Ashbie in the covn: of North: kni: 
 which sir Iohn Spenc: departed 
 
 THIS LIFE THE 14. OF APR, A 0 DNI. 1552. 
 
 The faid Sir William Spencer received the honour of d knight- 
 hood from King Henry VIII. at York-place (now called White- 
 hall) A. D. 1529. the parliament then fitting; and two years 
 after, viz. in 23 and 24 Hen. VIII. was e Sheriff of Northamp- 
 tonfhire, during which he died. His laft will bears date the 17th 
 of June, Anno 24 Hen. VIII. whereby he bequeaths his body 
 to be i buried at Brington, in fuch manner as his executors 
 lhould think fit: Orders his father's will to be complied with in 
 every article, not then performed : Appoints Dame Sufan, his 
 wife, Sir Nicholas Strelley, Knt. Anthony Cope, Efq; Walter 
 Smith, Efq; and two others his executors, and that they take 
 care of John, his only fon, then very young; and dying five 
 days after, viz. 22 June, lies buried according to his defire; 
 and a fine altar tomb, ereiled to his memory, is now Handing 
 againft the north-eaft wall of the north * chancel, or burial- 
 place of this family, round the verge whereof is this infeription 
 in old characters. 
 
 Hie Jaceni Do7wnu$ Witt us Spencer, Allies & D'na Swzanna 
 uxor ejus qui obiit xxii*. Die me's Junij Anno D'ni Millimo 
 CCCCCXXXIL quorum Aiabus propitietur Deus. Amen. 
 
 * ftormn Eouit. in Bibl. Cotton. Claud, c, 3, e Fuller's Worthies in 
 
 Com. Noxtharop. 1 £x Reg, Thome, in Cor. praerog. pr<3tdi£l. « Ex 
 
 Autag, 
 
 Over 
 
Spencer, Duke of Marlborough. 
 
 Over the faid tomb, on a tablet under an arch, is likewife this 
 
 HERE L1ETH THE BODIES OF SIR WILLIAM SPENCER KNIGHT* 
 
 AND DAME 
 
 SVSAN HIS WYFE, DAVGHTER OF SIR RICH: KNIGHTLEY 
 
 OF FAVSLEY IN COMIT. 
 NORTHAMP. KNT. & HAD ISSV BY HER SIRIOHN SPENCER. 
 
 KNT. THERE ONLIE 
 SONNE, ISABEL MARIED TO SIR IOHN COTTON OF LAN- 
 
 WARDE, in co: cam: knight 
 
 IANE WIFE TO SIR RICH. BRVGIS OF SHEFFORD IN CO. 
 
 BERK*. KNIGHT, DOROTHY 
 MARIED TO THO : SPENCER OF EVERTON IN CO : NOR- 
 THAMP. ESQVIRE, ANNE WYFE TO 
 SIR IOHN GOODWIN OF WINCHING TON IN CO: NORTHAMPT. 
 
 KNIGHT. WHICH ANNE DIED 
 WITHOVT ISSV. MARIE WYFE TO THO. BOLES OF WALING* 
 
 TON IN CO. HERTFORDE 
 ESQVIER. WHICH SIR WILLIAM DIED THE XXII. DAYE OF 
 
 IVNE ANNO DOMINI 1532* 
 
 Sir John Spencer, aforefaid, was h Sheriff of Northampton- 
 fhire, in 5 E. VI. and ele&ed one of the Knights of the fliire 
 in parliament for that county in the 1 ill of Queen Mary, before 
 which time he had received the honour of knighthood. He alfo 
 ferved in 4th and 5th of Phil, and Mar. and the year following, 
 was again Sheriffof that county, as alfo in 13 Eliz. And in the 15th 
 year of the reign of that Queen, was by writ appointed (with other 
 juftices of prime quality in the county of Northampton) a k com- 
 miffioner to enquire after fuch perfons as afted contrary to an aft 
 of parliament, 1 Eliz. Entituled, An Acl for the uniformity of the 
 common prayer , and fervice of the church, and admintftration of the 
 facraments. He was a great oeconomift, yet kept a plentiful 
 table according to the old Englifli way, as is manifeft from his 
 laft 1 will and teftament, bearing date 4 Jan. 1585; wherein 
 he orders hofpitality to be kept in his houfes at Althorp, and 
 Wormleighton, by his heir after his deceafe, according as he 
 had done; beftowing likewife feveral legacies on his fervants. 
 It alfo appears, that he delighted in retirednefs, was an encou- 
 rager of induftry, and fo much averfe to an una£tive life ; that 
 tho' he was po defied of a great eftate, he employed his thoughts 
 on hufbandry, as of moft profit and advantage to his country; 
 for at his death he had numerous flocks of fheep and other 
 cattle in his grounds and parks of Althorp and Wormleighton* 
 
 h Fuller's Worthies,, in Com. Northampton. 1 MS. penes Browna 
 
 Willis, Ar. k Ryraer's Feeder. Tom. X. p. 724, 725, * Reg. Spenfer, 
 
 p. x. Qu. 1. in Cur. prerog: pnedift* 
 
 He 
 
37 8 Spencer > Duke of Marlborough. 
 
 He left great eftates to four of his fons, who were heads of as 
 many families. V Of Sir John Spencer, his eldeft fon, I am 
 principally to treat. Thomas his fecond fon, built a fine houfe 
 at Claverdon in Com. Warwick, and for the hofpitality he kept 
 thereat (fays Sir William Dugdale) was the mirrour of that 
 county. He died without ifiue male, and a noble monument is 
 erected in the m church of that place to his memory ; his only 
 daughter and heir Alice, was married to SirTho. Lucy of Char- 
 kcote, in Warwickfhire, Knt. Sir William Spencer, third 
 fon, was of Yarnton, in Com. Oxon, which line lately ex- 
 tin gui died in daughters. Sir Richard Spencer, 4th fon, was 
 of Offiey, in Com. Hertford, from whom thofe of the name 
 in that county are defcended. 
 
 This Sir John Spencer, in his laft will aforefaid, requires his 
 executors to bury him in a decent manner without pomp (after 
 the worldly fafhion) in the church of Brinton, where his late 
 wife, dame Catherine Spencer, lieth buried. Alfo, that they 
 give before his burial, 40 1. in alms, and caufe a tomb, fuch 
 as they think fit, to be placed where he and his faid wife lie 
 buried. Accordingly I find one erected to his memory, neatly 
 painted, gilt and adorn'd with arms (in the middle of two 
 others) in the burial-place of this family, between the * fouth 
 chancel and north chancel, reprefenting, under an arch of 
 elegant workmanfliip, embelliflied with rofes, lozenges, &c. 
 of different colours, the proportions of a Knight in armour, 
 with his lady, in the habit of the times, lying on their backs, 
 and their hands elevated ; over them the atchievement of arms 
 of the family ; and at their feet, againft the wall, is the fol- 
 lowing infcription, fliewing his marriage and ifiue. 
 
 Here lieth the bodie of sir 
 
 Iohn Spencer knight who 
 
 maried Katherine, one 
 
 of the Daughters of Sir tho. 
 
 kltson, of hengrave in the 
 
 Co. of Svff. Knight, which 
 
 Iohn and Kath. had issv sir 
 
 Io: Spencer Knight. 2. Thomas 
 
 Spencer of Claredon in the 
 
 Co. of War. Esq^ 3 Sir William 
 
 Spencer of Yarnton in the Co. 
 
 of Oxf. knt. 4. Richard Spencer 
 
 of Offley in the Co. of Har. 
 
 Esquire. 5. Edw. Spencer who 
 
 died without issu. 6. Mar- 
 
 » Dugdale's Antiq. Warwick, p. 497, 498, 8 Ex Autog. 
 
 GARET 
 
Spencer \ Duke of Marlborough. 379 
 
 garet maried to glles 
 Allington of Horseth 
 in the coun. of camb. escjuire 
 after maried to edward 
 Eldrington, esquire, Elizabeth 
 maried to George Lord 
 hvnsdon, katherine maried 
 to sir Thomas Leigh of 
 Ston'lie in the Countie 
 of War: knig. Marie Wife 
 to sir Edward Aston of 
 Tixall, in the Countie of 
 Stafforde, knight, which 
 died without issu. Ann maried 
 to William, lord Movntegle, 
 who had noe issve by him, 
 after maried to Henrye 
 lord Compton, now Wife 
 of Robert Sackville, esquire, 
 Sonne and heire of Thomas 
 lord bvckhvrst high 
 Treasvrer of England, Alice 
 maried to ferdinando, earle 
 of Derbie, now Wife of sir 
 tho. egerton, knight, lord 
 Keper of the Great Sele of 
 England, which sir Iohn 
 Spencer departed this 
 life the 8, daie of novemb. 
 anno domini i586. 
 
 )L Sir John Spencer (fon and heir of Sir John) was • knighted 
 by Queen Elizabeth in the year 1588, the memorable year of 
 the Spanifli invafion. He died the 19th of January, 1599, anc * 
 a fine p tomb is likewife ere£ted at Brinton in memory of him; 
 which is oppofite to that of his father's, near the middle win- 
 dow of the chapel ; and is alfo curioufly embellifhed with paint- 
 ing and gilding; the figures of him and his lady lying in the 
 fame manner; and over them an arch (cur ioully adorned with 
 rofes) fupported by 8 pillars, viz. two at each corner, four of 
 which are pyramidical, and painted, the other four black mar- 
 ble, and of the Corinthian order. At the head againft the 
 north wall, is the following infcription. 
 
 This is the monument of sir Iohn Spencer 
 
 KNIGHT, AND DAME MaRIE HIS WlFE, SOLE 
 • Saul* MS. Milit, * Ex Autog. 
 
 2 Davchter 
 
3 So Spencer Duke of Marlborough. 
 
 Davghter and heire of sir Robert Catelist 
 knight, Lord Cheif Ivstice of the Kings 
 Bench, who had issu only sir Robert 
 Spencer knt. who maried Margaret, 1 
 one of the davghters and coheirs of sir 
 Francis Willvghby, of Wollaton in 
 the countie of nottingham, knight, 
 which sir lohn spencer departed this 
 Life the ix daye of Ianvarie 1599. 
 
 The faid Sir Robert Spencer, was * flieriff of Northampton- 
 Ihire in the 43d of Elizabeth ; before which time he had re- 
 ceived the honour of knighthood; and when King James af- 
 cended the throne, was reputed to have by him the moft r 
 money of any perfon in the kingdom ; which, together with 
 his great eftate, noble defcent, and many excellent accomplish- 
 ments, rendered him fo confpicuous, that he was promoted by 
 that Prince, before his s coronation, by letters patents bearing 
 date 21 July, to the dignity of a Baron of this realm, by the 
 title of Lord Spencer, of Wormleighton, the ceremony of his * 
 creation being performed at Hampton-Court. Soon after which, 
 the learned Camden writing his Britannia, makes this honourable 
 mention of him, viz. u " Althorp the feat of the noted family of 
 ct Spencer, Knights , allied to very many houfes of great worth 
 * c and honour^ out of which Sir Robert Spencer the $th Knight 
 c< in a continued fuccejjion^ a worthy encourager of virtue and learnings 
 cc was by his mojl ferene Majejly King James, lately advanced to 
 " the honour of Baron Spencer of Wormleighton." 
 
 And another x author, who wrote of thofe times, gives this 
 account of him, €i Spencer (like the old Roman chofen di£tator 
 tc from his farm) made the country a virtuous court, where his 
 u fields and flocks brought him more calm and happy con- 
 " tentment than the various and mutable difpenfations of a 
 M court can contribute: And when he was called to the fenate, 
 cc was more vigilant to keep the people's liberties from being a 
 cc prey to the encroaching power of monarchy, than his harm- 
 " lefs and tender lambs from foxes and ravenous creatures." 
 
 This Lord Spencer, in the ift year of the reign of King 
 James (by comrniffion bearing date at Woodftock the 18th day 
 of September) was appointed ambafiador to prefent y Frederick, 
 Duke of Wirtemberg, with the habit and enfigns of the moft 
 noble order of the garter. He fet out in the beginning of 
 O&ober, Anno 1603, accompanied with many perfons of qua- 
 
 * Fuller's Worthies, praedi£r. r Lloyd's Memoirs of Loyalifts, p. 431. 
 
 ■ Pat. 1 Jac. 1. p. 14. 1 Camden's Annals of K. James. u Britain, 
 
 in Com. Northamp. x Wilfon's Life of King James, in Hift. of England, 
 
 Vol. II, y A&mote's Order of the Carter, p*4ii, &C 
 
 lity* 
 
Spencer y Duke of Marlborough. 381 
 
 Rty ; and on the 2d of November following, arriving at the 
 city of Stutgard, was received with the higheft refpecl: and 
 honour by the Duke, who had made great preparations for his 
 reception. He fent for his three fons, with their tutors, from 
 the caftle of Tubing (where they followed their ftudies) to be 
 prefent at the inftallation ; likewife ordered the vice-prefident 
 and 12 afliftants of his ducal confiftory, with all the principal 
 and moft noble perfons of his court, to attend; appointing an 
 Englifh Lord, with the Lord Benjamin Buningkfhaufin, one 
 of his privy council, to be principal contrivers, directors, and 
 managers, of all things that fliould belong to the fetting forth 
 the folemnity. 
 
 The ftate and magnificence of this inveftiture is fet forth by 
 Mr. Afhmole ; who obferves, that the Lord ambafiador Spencer, 
 who reprefented the Sovereign, and the elecl: Duke, were fo 
 richly attired, glittering with gold and jewels, that they at- 
 tracted the admiration of all the fpe£tators. 
 
 The Duke omitted nothing that might tend to the fatisfa&iort 
 of the Lord Ambaflador and his train. He mewed them the 
 principal places of his Dukedom, as Waltebuch, the Univerfity 
 of Tubing, &c. entertained them with comedies, mufick, and 
 other diverfions ; and on their return to England, he accom- 
 panied the Lord Spencer as far as Afperg, taking leave of him 
 with the greateft demonftrations and expreffions of affeflion 
 and efteem. On his arrival in England, he was received, by 
 his Prince, with particular marks of diftindion, for his noble 
 carriage and behaviour in his embafly. 
 
 I don't find that he bore any employment at court, but he 
 conftantly attended his duty in parliament, and on all proper 
 occafions, appeared a loyal fubjeel: to the King, as well as a 
 good patriot and a maintainer of the liberty of the fubjeel:. He 
 had excellent parts, which were improved and cultivated by a 
 clofe application to the fervice of his country, and knowledge of 
 men and bufinefs, whereby he grew into the efteem of the 
 greateft men of that age. His quick apprehenfion and readinefs 
 of thought was very remarkable, as will hereafter appear ; and 
 in the debates in parliament as few fpoke better, fo none had a 
 more favourable attention ; on which account he was nomina- 
 ted in moft committees on publick affairs and conferences with 
 the commons, as appears by the z journals of the houfe of lords, 
 whereof I (hall inftance fome particulars. 
 
 In 9 Jac. I. 1610, he was of the committee for managing 
 a conference with the commons concerning the great contract 
 with his Majefty touching tenures. In the year 1620, one of 
 the committee to take into confideration the cuftoms and or- 
 ders of the houfe, and privileges of the Peers of the King- 
 * Journal Procerum in Bibl, Medii Tcmpli. 
 2 dom \ 
 
382 Spencer \ Duke of Marlborough. 
 
 dom; alfo one of the 16 principal lords appointed to infpeft 
 ten publick bills for the good and fervice of his Majefty and 
 the eftate, prefented by Walter Morell, gent, Likewife in that 
 feffion, on a meflage of the houfe of Commons, that they had en- 
 tred into a due confideration of diverfe heavy grievances, &c. 
 concerning which they defired a conference with their Lordfhips. 
 He was appointed with others (whereof his Royal Highnefs the 
 Prince was one) to confer with them. Moreover, with that 
 Prince, and other principal Lords, had under confideration the 
 erecting of an academy, and what qualities, arts, fciences, 
 and exercifes fliould be there taught and pra&ifed ; which was 
 occafioned by a motion of the Lord High Admiral (and generally 
 approved) that forafmuch as the education of youth, efpecially 
 of quality and worth, is a matter of high confequence, it 
 was therefore neceffary to provide that fuch perfons, in their 
 tender years do not fpend their time fruitlefs about the town, 
 or elfewhere, but that fome good courfe might be taken for erec- 
 tion and maintenance of an academy, for the breeding and 
 bringing up of the Nobility and Gentry of the Kingdom, in their 
 younger years; and for a free and voluntary contribution from 
 perfons of honour and quality for that purpofe. 
 
 This Lord Spencer, firft made the motion (on a difference 
 between the Lord Chancellor and the Lord Treafurer) that no 
 Lords fliould be named greater than others, as being all Peers, 
 to which the houfe agreed ; and the fame day (12 March) with 
 his RoyaJ Highnefs, &c. was appointed one of the feledl com- 
 mittee to confer with the houfe of Commons, both to demand 
 of them fuch letters patents, warrants, examinations, and 
 other writings, which concerned chief greivances, and to 
 receive from them by word of mouth, fuch further informa- 
 tions as might conduce to the proving fuch greivances, as they 
 had complained of. In the examination whereof he put the 
 queftion, That Sir Allen Apfley and three others who abufed the 
 execution of patents^ and were guilty of monopolizing , might he 
 taken into cujlody ; to which the houfe agreed. 
 
 In the faid affair, he was one of the ten principal lords for 
 preparing heads of the validities, and the inconveniencies arifing 
 by patents, penal ftatutes for inns, grants of monopolies, grants 
 of concealments, &c. all which they redrefs'd ; and in the exa- 
 mination thereof, the Lord Chancellor Bacon was dete&ed of 
 bribery and other indire£t practices. A bill for the better dis- 
 covering and repreffing popifh recufants, and feveral other pub- 
 lick accounts, were likewife under his confideration in com- 
 mittees. 
 
 On the 14th of May, 1621, the bill for prohibiting and re- 
 forming prophane curfing and fwearing was committed to him, 
 the Lord Archbifliop of Canterbury, the Lord Treafurer, and 
 
 nine 
 
Spencer, Duke of Marlborough. 383 
 
 nine other principal Lords; and he with the Lord High Admiral 
 the Lord High Steward, and nine others, were appointed to con- 
 fider of the petition of the fifhermen, dredgers, and other fea- 
 faring men, and to meet on Thurfday the 8th of May ; on which 
 day he was one of the eighteen (efpecially appointed) to manage 
 a conference with the Commons, concerning the privileges of 
 their houfe ; wherein the Lords conceived the Commons had 
 trenched, but were defirous to continue that good refpe£t and 
 correfpondency, which had been between both houfes all the par- 
 liament ; and they were appointed to meet the Commons the 
 nth of May, when this proteftation was agreed and entred in 
 the journal of the houfe of Commons, viz. " That the pro- 
 H ceeding lately pafled in the houfe of Commons againft Edward 
 45 Floud, be not any time hereafter drawn or ufed as a pre- 
 c< cedent, to the enlarging or diminifliing of the lawful rights 
 " or privileges of either houfe, but that the rights and privileges 
 " of both houfes fhall remain in the felf fame ftate and plight 
 <c as before." He was likewife of the committee for managing 
 a conference with the commons concerning monopolies. 
 
 Our hiftorians inform us, that in this parliament many de- 
 bates arofe relating to the King's power and prerogative; and 
 that this a Lord Spencer flood up boldly for the publick liberty 
 (with the Earls of Oxford, Southampton, Eflex, and Warwick); 
 and fpeaking fomething in the houfe of the actions of their 
 great anceftors, Arundel, Earl Marflial of England, a great 
 ftickler for the prerogative, difpleafed with the arguments ufed, 
 reply 'd, My Lord^ when thefe things were doing , your anceftors 
 were keeping Jheep (alluding to the numerous flocks kept by his 
 Grandfather) : To which the Lord Spencer, with a fpirit and 
 quicknefs of thought peculiar to him, immediately anfwered 
 (more truly) When my anceftors were keeping foeep (as you fay) 
 your anceftors were plotting treafon. This caufed fuch a heat, 
 that Arundel, as the aggreflbr, was fent to the Tower ; but foon 
 after acknowledging his fault, and offering to make his fubmif- 
 fion, he was di (charged. 
 
 In the fame h year he, with thirty-two other Lords, petition'd 
 the King, u For that many of his fubjefts of the realm ofEng- 
 u land had been honoured with titles and dignities in Scot- 
 
 o 
 
 " land and Ireland, by which all the Nobilitv of this realm, 
 " either in themfelves, their children, or both, find they are 
 <c prejudie'd ; they therefore pray they may challenge and pre- 
 tc ferve their birthrights, and that no more notice may be taken of 
 *• thofe titles than the law of the land doth ; and that they may 
 < 4 be excus'd, if in civil courtefy they give them not the refpe£t 
 * c or place as to noblemen ftrangers, feeing that they being their 
 
 a Echard's Hift. of England, Vol. I. p. 955. 6 Wilton's Life of King 
 
 James, aforefaid, 
 
 u country. 
 
3^4 Spencer, Duke of Marlborough. 
 
 f * countrymen, born and inheritanced under the fame lawi f 
 €i their families and abode among them, have yet procured their 
 u tranflation into foreign names, only to their injury/' But 
 this their petition the King took ill, and e reprimanded the 
 Lord Spencer, as being (I fuppofe) the chief promoter of 
 it. 
 
 In the parliament following, that met at Weftminfter 19th 
 of Feb. 1623, (21 Jac. I.) he only ftaid a few days, obtaining 
 4 leave (the ift of March) of the houfe to be abfent; but in the 
 fucceeding parliaments, to the time of his death, he was in 
 moft committees on publick affairs, a conftant maintainer and 
 promoter of the manufactories, trade, and liberties of the realm, 
 an oppofer of all arbitrary grants, monopolies, or other indirect 
 pradttces ; and, finally, was feafon'd with a juft tin&ure of all 
 private and publick virtues. He lived a widower thirty years, 
 (his lady dying in childbed) and departing this life the 25th of 
 OClober, 1627 ; was buried in great fplendor with his anceftors 
 at Brinton, the 5th of November following, under a noble • 
 monument at the head of his grandfather, under a like arch equal- 
 ly adorn'd, but fupported by four pillars of the Corinthian Or- 
 der. The figures of him and his lady are likewife in the fame 
 pofture, he in armour, with a helmet on his head ; (he in the 
 drefs of the times, veil'd to the knees. At their feet, under the 
 arch, on a black marble tablet, is the following Memorial of 
 his marriage and iflue, in gold letters. 
 
 heere lye the bodies of sir robert spencer knight 
 
 baron spencer 
 
 of worm leigh ton & margaret his wife one of 
 
 the daughters & 
 coheires of sir francis willowghby of wollaton 
 
 in the co : of 
 
 notting: knight who had issue 4 sonnes & 3 
 daughters viz. i. iohn spencer esquire who died 
 
 at blois in france without 
 issue. 2. william lord spencer who married the 
 
 lady penelope 
 
 eldest davghter of henry earle of sovthampt. 
 
 3. richard spencer 
 esquire. 4. edward spencer of boston in the co: 
 
 of midd : knight 
 (who married dame mary, widow of sir wil- 
 liam reade of avst- 
 erley in the same co : knight) i. mary married 
 
 to sir richard 
 
 • Camden's Annals in Hift, of England, p, 658. * Journal proccr prardift. 
 • Ex Autog. 
 
 ANDERSON 
 
Spencer, Duke of Marlborough. 385 
 
 ANDERSON OF PENLY IN THE CO: OF HARTFORD, 
 
 KNIGHT. 2. ELIZABETH 
 MARRIED TO SIR GfcORGE FANE, OF BVSTON IN THE 
 
 CO! OF KENT, K NT. 
 WHO DIED WITHOVT ISSVE. 3. MARGARET WHO DIED 
 
 VNMARRIED. 
 
 WHICH ROBERT LORD SPENCER, DEPARTED THIS LIFE 
 
 THE 25 OF OCTOBER. 
 
 ANNO DOMINI 1627, AND MARGARET HIS WIFE THE 
 
 17. OF AVGVST. I597. 
 
 ROBERT LORD SPENCER, £VIL*T THIS MONVMENT INt 
 
 HIS LIFE, ANNO 1599. 
 
 William, Lord Spencer aforefaid, was made Knight of the 
 honourable order of the f Bath, at the creation of Prince Charles 
 Anno 1616 ; and was ele6red, all the while he was a Commoner, 
 one of the Knights of the s Shire for the county of Northampton, 
 in three feveral parliaments in the reign of King James I. and in 
 two others call'd in the firft year of the reign of King Charles I. 
 He inherited his father's excellent conduft, as well as his honour 
 and eftate, as we are fully inform'd from the infcription hereafter 
 mention'd; which fets forth, that he was adorn'd with all virtues, 
 a tender hufband, loving father, faithful friend^ a fincere wor- 
 fliipper of God, a moft devoted fubjecT: to his King, and patriot 
 to his country. He died in the 45th year of his age, on the 
 19th of December, and was buried at h Brinton the 27th of the 
 fame month 1636. Penelope, his lady, whom he left with 
 child, remain'd a widow one and thirty years (having Sepulture 
 at Brinton 16 July, 1667) leaving a very fhining character, for 
 her conftancy of mind, prudent conducl, unaffeSed piety, and 
 love to her deceas'd Lord ; for whom fhe erected a noble and 
 ftately 1 monument of black and white marble, now remaining 
 at Brinton, the figures of a Baron and Baronefs in their robes of 
 ftate, lying on a black marble tomb, their hands lifted up in 
 a praying pofture ; and over them an arch of black and white 
 marble, fupported by eight black marble pillars of the Corinthian 
 order, with white capitols. And the following infcriptions are 
 on four feveral black Marble Tablets, viz. at the Eaft end. 
 
 f Catal. Nobil. &c. per T. W. London, 8*. 1642. 5 MS. B. Willis 
 
 predict. h Reg. Eccl. paroch. Brinton. 1 Ex Autos. 
 
 Vol. I. 
 
 C c POSTERITATI 
 
386 Spencer, Duke of Marlborough. 
 
 S 
 
 o 
 
 w 
 o 
 
 g 2 
 
 2 < ?Q 
 
 * 2 g §s 3* 
 
 O co ^ ^ H > ><w> ^ £ £ C W 
 
 o4 o "^ffio 
 
 2 * |< 2 3 Pi III 
 
 o y h s a £ 2 i >h^ h 3 
 
 s h ^ co ^ «a woo 5^ 
 
 H 
 W 
 
 ~ W OH 
 Co 
 
 o 
 
 ^ ^ ^ ^ o^?>> ;^ u o 3 es w 
 
Spencer, Duke of Marlborough. 38 7 
 
 At the weft «nd 
 
 Depositum custodit ad tempus 
 
 StATUTUM REDDETqUE INTIQRUM. 
 
 On the north fide, 
 
 Tuba prorumpens in silentium sepulchrI 
 ossa germinantia resuscitabit ad 
 GLORIAM. 
 
 On the fouth fide, 
 
 EPIC^EDIUM. 
 Junxit Amor teneros Virtute & Sanguine Charos 
 
 Crevit Amor jun&is tempore prole Deo 
 Idem velle fuit nolle idem ; animufque duobus 
 
 Unus erat Vivis unaque vera fides 
 Mors tantum potuit vivos fuperare Sepulchro 
 
 Non potuit tandem, junget & Urna Dies. 
 
 Of the fons and daughters mention'd in the faid infcription, 
 Henry fucceeded in the honour and eftate. 
 
 Robert, fecond fon k , baptized 2 February, 1628, was created 
 a Peer of Scotland, by the title of Vifcount Tiviot ; and having 
 married Jane, Daughter of Sir Thomas Spencer of Yarnton in 
 Com. Oxon. Bart, died without ifTue. 
 
 William, third fon, was feated at Afhton-hall, in Com. Lancaf- 
 ,ter, and died without ifl'ue. 
 
 Richard, fourth fon, baptized 3 0&. 1631, departing this 
 life unmarried, was buried at Brinton, 11 Feb. 1653. 
 
 Thomas and John died young, or unmarried. 
 
 Of the daughters, Elizabeth, born 16 Feb, 1617, and bap- 
 tiz'd 17 Mar. following, was married at Brinton, 4 Dec. 1634, 
 to John Craven, Efq; who was created Lord Craven of Ryton, 
 in Com. Salop; and after his deceafe, to Henry Howard, third 
 Ton to Thomas, Earl of Berkflrires and laftly to William, 
 Xord Crofts. 
 
 Mary, baptiz'd 20 Feb. 1621, died 12 July, 1622. 
 
 Anne, married to Sir Robert Townfhend. 
 
 Katharine, baptiz'd 17 Oft. 1624, died unmarried. 
 
 Alice, baptized 29 Dec. 1625, was wedded to Henry Earl $f 
 Drogheda of the kingdom of Ireland. 
 
 Margaret, baptiz'd 19 July, 1627, was the third wife of the 
 right honourable Anthony Cooper, Earl of Shaftfbury, who 
 made fo confiderable a figure in the reign of King Charles II. 
 
 Rachel, born after her father's deceafe, was baptiz'd 19 July, 
 1627, and died young. 
 
 A curious antiquary hath evidently made out, that the faid 
 Lady Penelope (their mother) eldeft daughter of Henry Wrio- 
 thefly, Earl of Southampton, was in fundry ways, ex traded from 
 
 * Reg. Eccl. Brinton, prsdift. 
 
 C c 2 the 
 
388 Spencer, Duke of Marlborough. 
 
 the Kings of England, Scotland, France, Hierufalen, Spain, 
 Portugal, and Navarre. 
 
 Henry Lord Spencer the eldeft fon of the faid Lady Pe- 
 nelope, and William Lord Spencer, was born 1 at Althorp, 
 and chriften'd the 23 November, 1620. He had from his 
 youth a m forward inclination to learning, and being under 
 an auftere tutor, the quicknefs of his apprehenfion, and folid 
 judgment, far above his years, led him to the exercife of 
 all generous recreations. He had univerfity education n at 
 Magdalen College, in Oxford, before he was fixteen years of 
 age; and in 1636, King Charles and his Queen, honouring 
 the Univerfity with their prefence, it was his Majefty's pleafure 
 there fhould be creations in feveral faculties. Whereupon the 
 Secretary of State having deliver'd to the Chancellor, the 
 names of thofe nominated by his Majefty, a convocation was 
 celebrated the 31ft of Auguft, and the degree of Matter of Arts 
 was conferred on the Lord Spencer. 
 
 At nineteen years of age, the Earl of Southampton, his 
 guardian, and the Lady Penelope, his mother, contracted with 
 Robert, Earl of Leicefter, • for the marriage of his daughter 
 the Lady Dorothy Sydney, with his Lordfliip, who being in 
 his minority, he with his mother the faid Lady Penelope, peti- 
 tioned his Majefty, to give fpecial directions for his letters of 
 privy feal, ordering his Judges of the court of Common Pleas, 
 to admit the Lord Spencer by his guardian, to fuffer a common 
 recovery, of his manors, and lands, that he might be enabled 
 to fettle a jointure, on the faid Lady Dorothy p . And the 
 King was gracioufly pleafed to give directions accordingly. 
 
 The marriage was confummated at Penftiurft, the 20th of 
 July 1639, as Robert Earl of Leicefter writes in his journal 
 (now remaining there) and that in Auguft following, he re- 
 turned to his ambafiy in France, and his wife followed him 
 thither, with his new fon in law, and his daughter, his wife, 
 who arrived at his houfe in Paris before Michaelmas. 
 
 It appears by manufcript papers, now remaining in the Sidney 
 family, that Lord Spencer with his Lady, continued at Paris, 
 till the Earl of Leicefter's return into England, in the beginning 
 , of OCtober 1641. She was a Lady of uncommon beauty, vir- 
 tue and merit, with all accomplifhments ; and under the name of 
 Sachariffa, is highly celebrated by the famous Waller in his 
 poems. The Lord her hufband, had alfo an excellent unders- 
 tanding, joined to a fine perfon, and was diftinguiflied for 
 his early judgment of men and affairs ; and an entire love was 
 between them, manifefted by letters I have feen from both of 
 
 1 Ex Regift. Ecclef. de Brington, in Com. Northamp. m Lloyd's Memoirs 
 
 of the Loyalifb, p. 431. « Wood's Fafti Oxonienfes, Vol. I. p. 886, 887. 
 
 • £x Autog. apud Penihurft. * Ibid* 
 
 them, 
 
Spencer, Duke of Marlborough. 389 
 
 them, in the evidence room at Penfliurft, the refidence of the 
 Earls of Leicefler. 
 
 He took his feat in the Houfe of Peers, immediately after his 
 return from beyond the feas, the parliament then fitting ; and his 
 eminent abilities made him courted by both parties to be in their 
 interefts. But his natural love of the liberties of his country, 
 which his anceftors had aflerted, foon determined him to fall 
 in with them, who were detecting the indire£t pra&ices of thofe 
 councellors, that had violated the laws, wherein he fo far con- 
 curred, as to be * nominated by them their Lord Lieutenant for 
 the county of Northampton. Yet he had an unqueftioned 
 duty to the crown, and reverence for the government, both in 
 church and ftate ; for when he faw they were throwing off all 
 obligations to confcience, and the laws of the land, he couragi- 
 oufly declared in parliament r , (the laft words he fpoke there) 
 That they might have been fatisfed long before , if they had not 
 afked things that deny themfehes ; and if fome men had not Jhuffied 
 demands into their proportions^ on purpofe that they might bave 
 710 fatisfaclion. 
 
 Being determinded to follow his Majeftv. purfue his 
 meafures, as far as he found tb#r*i (^tfnitent with the rights of 
 his country, he though ve r 7 young prudently made a difpofi- 
 tion of his eftate before ne fet out for his feat at Althrop with 
 his l$dy w*ud family, having then a fon, and a daughter, Ro- 
 bert, and Dorothy. On 30 June 18 Car. I. according to a 
 power given him, for leading the ufes of divers common re- 
 coveries, fuffered before his marriage s , he demifes to Thomas 
 Earl of Southampton, Robert Earl of Leicefter, Philip Lord 
 Lifle, Algernon Sydney, Richard Spencer Efquires, and Sir 
 Edward Spencer, the manors of Wormleighton, Priors-marf- 
 ton, Priors-hardwick, and Fenny Compton, with all his lands, 
 tenements, &c. in Warwickfiiire. The manors of Althrop, 
 Great Brington, Stonton, Little Brington, Newbottle, Grove 
 alias Byefield, Over-Bodington, and Nether-Bodington, in the 
 county of Northampton ; and all his lands, tenements, &c. 
 there, or elfewhere, in the faid county (except both the join- 
 tures of his mother and his own Lady, and all leafes for 
 lives) to hold from the firfl: of May, for the term of 21 years. 
 Yielding and paying to him the faid Henry Lord Spencer, and 
 to fuch perfon, or perfons, to whom the immediate reverfion, or 
 remainder of the premifes refpedtively fhall belong, the yearly 
 rent of twelve hundred pounds. Upon truft to imploy the 
 profits, above that rent, in fuch manner, as he the faid Lord 
 Spencer, by writing, fubfcribed in the prefence of two or 
 more witnelTes, or by his will (hall appoint. 
 
 * Clarendon's Hift. of the Rebel. 8°. Vol. I. p. 652. r Lloyd's Memoirs, 
 
 p. 431. s Ex Evident, apud Penhurft. 
 
 C c 3 And 
 
39° Spencer, Duke of Marlborough. 
 
 And purfuant thereto, his Lordfliip, by writing 1 , bearing date 
 the nth of July, 1642, under his hand, fubfcribed in the pre- 
 fence of Algernon Sydney, Dr. Henry Hammond, and two other 
 witnefles, reciting that he had demifed to his faid truftees before 
 mentioned, the faid mannors, &c. Upon truft &c. Now he 
 the faid Henry Lord Spencer, defires and declares, that the 
 faid Thomas Earl of Southampton, Robert Earl of Leicefter, 
 and other his faid truftees, (hall permit him, or his affigns to 
 take the profits of the faid manors, lands, &c. during his 
 life, and if he dies before the faid term be expired, that then 
 his truftees mail out of the profits of the faid leafe made to 
 them, raife the fum of ioool. for a legacy, for the Lady 
 Lucy Sidney ; and the fum of 3000 1. for a legacy, to his 
 dear wife Dorothy Lady Spencer ; and the fum of 10000 1. 
 for the portion of his daughter, Dorothy Spencer ; to be paid 
 on the day of her marriage, or in cafe me continue unmarried 
 till the age of 21 years; that then (he receive the full intereft 
 of her portion, and from the age of 17, till 2 1, receive three 
 hundred pounds yearly for her maintenance; and till the age 
 of 17, fitting maintenance. Alfo that the fum of feven thou- 
 fand pounds be raifed for the portion of the child his Lady 
 is big of, to be paid (if it be a fon) at the age of eighteen years, 
 if it be a daughter, at the day of her marriage, and if unmarried 
 till 21, then to receive the full intereft of her portion &c. ao be- 
 fore recited. And if they die unmarried, then the faid portions 
 to be divided in three parts, one in their power to difpofe of, 
 and the other two to be equally divided amongft his other 
 children, his fon Robert Spencer and his daughter or fon that 
 fhall be living. And after the faid legacies &c. raifed as aforefaid, 
 that then the faid Thomas Earl of Southampton, and his faid 
 truftees, fhall permit his right heir to take the profits of the 
 premifes, during the reft of the faid term. In witnefs, &c. 
 
 Lloyd, who has given fome confufed account of his Lordfliip, 
 relates u , That he brought 15000/. and 1200 men to his 
 Majejiy's reliefs and to the Earl of Northampton his country 
 man's affiftance^ adding his counfil^ and perfonal fervice. It's 
 certain he followed his Majefty to York, and from thence to 
 Nottingham, where his ftandard was erected the 25th day of 
 Auguft 1642. From thence he marched with the King to 
 Shrewfbury x , where he wrote the following molt remarkable 
 letter, the greateft part of it in cypher, and decyphered, by. 
 his Lady; bearing date at Shrewfbury, the 21ft of Septem- 
 ber, 1642. 
 
 1 Ex Evident, praed. u Memoirs, p. 43a, x Sidney's Memo- 
 
 rials, Vol. If. p. 657. 
 
 My 
 
Spencer y Duke of Marlborough. 391 
 
 My Deareft Hart, 
 
 c< The King's condition is much improved of late ; his force 
 ci increafeth daily, which increafeth the infolency of the papifts. 
 " How much I am unfatisfied with the proceedings here, I 
 «5 have at large exprefTed in feveral letters. Neither is there 
 " wanting handfome occafion to retire, were it not for grin- 
 <c ning honour. For let occafion be never fo handfome, unlefs 
 
 a man refolved to fight on the parliament's fide, which, for 
 " my part, I had rather be hanged, for it will be faid a man is 
 <c afraid to fight. If there could be an expedient found to falve 
 " the punctilio of honour, I would not continue here an hour. 
 <c The difcontent that I, and many other honeft men, receive 
 <c daily is beyond expreffion. People are much divided ; the 
 4 \ King is of late very much averfe to peace, by the perfwa- 
 " fions of 202 and »u It's likewife conceived that the King 
 4C has taken a refolution not to do any thing in that way before 
 <c the Queen comes ; for people advifing the King to agree 
 " with the parliament, was the occafion of the Queen's return. 
 <c Till that time no advice will be received j neverthelefs the 
 <c honeft men, will take all occafions to procure an accomoda- 
 <c tion ; which the King when he fent the late mefTages did 
 66 heartily defire ; and would ftill make offers, but for 202 and 
 iC in, and the expectation of the Queen, and fear of the 
 fiC papifts, who threaten people of 342. I fear the papifts threats, 
 c< have a much greater influence upon 83 [King] then upon 
 <c 343. What the King's intentions are to thofe that I con- 
 cc verfe with, are altogether unknown ; fome fay, he will hazard 
 " a battle very quickly ; others fay, he thinks of wintering ; 
 
 which as its fufpe&ed, fo if it were generally believed 117 
 u [Sunderland] and many others, would make no fcruple to 
 " retire ; for I think it is as far from gallant, either to ftarve 
 <c with the King, or do worfe, as to avoid fighting. It is faid 
 c4 the King goes on Friday towards Chefter, for a day or two, 
 " leaving his forces here ; which are 6000 foot, 1500 dragoons, 
 " and above 2000 horfe. There are 4000 foot more raif- 
 " ed, they fay, 2000 by my Lord Strange, 1000 by Sir 
 " Thomas Salifbury, and 1200 by Sir Edward Stradling ; all 
 u which will be here within a few days. This is a lightning 
 ** before death, 
 
 I am your, &c. 
 
 Spencer. 
 
 The Earl of Clarendon relates that fome carriage horfes 
 and waggons, which were prepared for the fervice in Ireland, 
 and lay at Chefter to be tranfpor ted with the Earl of Leicefter, 
 
 * Hift. of Rebell. 8°. Vol. III. p. 35, 36, 
 
 C c 4 Lieutenant 
 
39 2 Spencer , Duke of Marlborough. 
 
 Lieutenant of that Kingdom, were brought to Shrewfbury by 
 his Majefty's order, which encreafed the neceffity the King was 
 in for money and that the papifts were treated with for a fup- 
 ply, which they complied with : Whereupon the King with his 
 army z marched from Shrewfbury the 12th of October, and 
 from thence to Birmingham, where the Lord Spencer wrote 
 another letter to his Lady, October 14, and fent it by a fervant 
 to her at Althorpe ; a " Acquainting her that he believed he 
 H fhould not have time nor opportunity to fend more than ano- 
 cc ther letter to her, before he came to London, which would 
 u be as foon as fo great an army could march fo many miles. 
 * c And that not only 243 [papifts] but moft men believed, the 
 44 King's army would make its way there, though Lord Effex's 
 * c army was five times as many as they were. And that the 
 ci King was fo awed by 243, that he dares not propofe peace 
 * c or accept it. But if that be offered by the parliament, he, 
 * 4 and others would fpeak their opinion, though concerning the 
 i4 late treaty, they were threatned by 243. That he had above 
 * c an hour's difcourfe with the King, about the treaty, which 
 c< he would be glad fhe knew, but it was too long with cyphers, 
 <c and unfit without ; elfe he had no commerce with his Majefty, 
 * 4 fince they came from Nottingham : Thanks her for her care 
 * c in fupplying him with money ; and that he gave fix fcore 
 * 6 pounds for a horfe; an argument he might want the fooner, 
 * c but if he had been in danger of that, he would have ventured 
 c< his body upon a v/orfe horfe. If he durft write freely of all 
 44 things, fhe fhould have more from him, for he could truly 
 cc fay of his writing in characters, as a great man of this king- 
 <c dom faid of his fpeaking ; that he never knew^ what he meant 
 <c to fpeak) before he fpake y nor what he had faid after he had 
 * c fpoken^ &c. 
 
 The King by quick marches, having feldom refted a day in 
 any place b , came on Saturday the 2id October, to Edgecote, 
 a village in Northamptonfhire, within four miles of Banbury ; 
 and the next day was the battle of Kineton or Edgehill, from 
 the King's rendezvous on it, fo famous in hiftory ; and the 
 Lord Spencer, with other noblemen, as volunteers, charged in 
 the King's guards of horfe, Lord Clarendon has obferved % 
 <c At the entrance into the field, the King's guards of horfe, 
 " either provoked by fome unfeafonable feoffs among the foldiery, 
 " or out of defire of glory, or both, befought the King, That 
 <c he would give them leave to be abfent that day from his perfon y 
 <c and to charge in the front among the horfe ^ the which his Ma- 
 <c jefly confented to. They alfo defired Prince Rupert, to give 
 46 them that honour which belonged to them \ who accordingly af- 
 
 7 - Hift. of Rebell. S°. Vol. III. p 41. * Sidney^ State Papers, ut antea, 
 
 p. 667, 662. * Clarendon, p. 44. * ibid. p. 44,45. 
 
 " figned 
 
Spencer, Dake of Marlborough. 393 
 
 €C figned them the firft place ; which (as the noble author recites) 
 44 may well be reckoned among the overfights of that day; 
 * 4 though they performed their parts with admirable courage d . 
 44 For Prince Rupert having routed the enemy's horfe, purfued 
 44 them fo far, that whilft moft thought the vi&ory unqueftion- 
 <c able, the King was in danger of the fame fate, which 
 44 Henry the Hid had at the battle of Lewes againft his Barons ; 
 " when his fon the Prince having routed the horfe, followed 
 <4 the chafe fo far, that before his return to the field, his father 
 46 was taken prifoner." 
 
 Whitlock in his account of that battle, given by the parlia- 
 ment generals, recites c , 41 The greateft body of the King's 
 44 horfe was in his right wing, commanded by Prince Rupert, 
 44 who furioufly charged the left wing of the parliaments horfe, 
 44 whom he routed, and purfued to Kineton with great llaughter. 
 4C Both armies, horfe and foot, performed their parts with great 
 4C valour and bravery, till night parted the fight." On both fides 
 were loft between 5000 and 6000 men ; but Lord Clarendon 
 relates, 44 That on Wednefday morning, when the King drew 
 44 his army to a rendezvous, he found his numbers greater than 
 44 he expected 5 for very many of the common foldiers, who 
 " out of cold and hunger had been miffing, then joined him, 
 44 fo that there were not loft above three hundred men." 
 
 The Lord Spencer marched with his Majefty to Oxford, 
 and though he had not, or would accept of any command in the 
 army; yet attending on the King's perfon, without any other 
 obligation than honour, he always engaged with the moft for- 
 ward, in every a£Hon, or fiege, where his Majefty was prefent. 
 His Lordfhip was alfo intimate with Prince Rupert, and was 
 with him at the taking of Briftol ; having a little before, for his 
 approved loyalty, and other his great merits, been f advanced 
 to the degree and dignity of an Earl, by the title of Earl of 
 Sunderland, by letters patent, bearing date at Oxford, on the 
 8th of June, 1643; at which time of his creation g , he was 
 faid to be allied to all the nobility then at court, except Duke 
 Hamilton. 
 
 By a letter to his Lady, dated at Oxford the 9th of Auguft, 
 at funfet, 1643, his Lordftiip informs her, 64 That the King's 
 44 fuddain refoiution of going before Gloucefter, had extreamly 
 44 difappointed him, for when he went from Briftol on Monday 
 44 morning, he refolved to be at Oxford the 9th of Auguft ; 
 44 upon which his Lordftiip, and two or three Gentlemen, a- 
 4C greed to meet his Majefty there, and to take Bath in their 
 44 way, which they did accordingly; whereby they mift his 
 44 Majefty, being gone that morning towards Gloucefter, and 
 
 d Clarendon, p. 48. P Memorials, p, 6j. f Pat. 19 Car. I. 
 
 s Lloyd's Memoirs, praed, 
 
 11 would 
 
3 94 Spencer, Dnke of Marlborough. 
 
 <6 would be before it the next morning where he intended to wait 
 cc on him. That the King's going to Gloucefter, was in the 
 u opinion, of moft very unadvifed. The Queen unfattisfied in 
 cc it ; fo is all the people of quality. You will receive two 
 *' other letters from me by this meflenger, one of which I wrote 
 " before my going hence, the other at Briftol, &c." 
 
 In another letter to her Ladyfliip, dated from the camp before 
 Gloucefter, Auguft 25, he thus exprefles himfelf, 
 
 My deareft Hart, 
 
 " Juft as I was going out of the trenches, on Wednefday, 
 <c I received your letter of the 20th of this inftant, which gave 
 
 me fo much fatisfa&ion, that it put all the inconveniencies 
 <c of this fiege out of my thoughts. At that inftant, if I had 
 * c followed my own inclinations, I had returned an anfwer to 
 <c yours ; writing to you, and hearing from you, being the 
 ct moft pleafant entertainment, I am capable of receiving in 
 <c any place; but efpecially here, where, but when lam in 
 4C the trenches (which place is feldom without my company) 
 <c I am more folitary than ever I was in my life ; this country 
 iX being very full of private cottages, in one of which I am 
 €t quartered, where my Lord Falkland did me the honour to 
 cc fup. Mr. Chillingworth h is here with me at Sir Nicholas 
 <c Selwin's, who has been this week at Oxford; our little en- 
 <c gineer comes not hither fo much out of kindnefs to me, as 
 <c for his own conveniency ; my quarters being three or four 
 <c miles nearer the leaguer than my Lord of Devonfliire's, with 
 <c whom he ftaid till he was commanded to make ready his 
 ci engines, with all poflible fpeed. It is not to be imagined, 
 
 with what diligence and fatisfa&ion (I mean to myfelf) he 
 <c executes this command ; for my part I think it not unwifely 
 " done of him to change his profeffion ; and I think you would 
 
 have been of my mind, if you had heard him difpute laft 
 " night, with my Lord Falkland, in favour of focinianifm ; 
 €C wherein he was, by his Lordfhip, fo often confounded, that 
 
 really it appears, he has much more reafon for his engines, 
 44 than for his opinion : I put off my writing till laft night, 
 <c out of hopes that fomewhat here would have happened 
 " worthy of your knowledge ; and you fee what good com- 
 <lc pany made me defer it laft night, at which time, I was 
 
 newly come from our leager, whither I thought to have gone 
 <c this morning ; but I have got fuch a kind of fmall bile, in 
 * c fuch a place, that as I cannot ride without paine, fo I cannot 
 <c with modefty make a more particular defcription. I find that 
 <c we had only an alarum, which they gave to hinder our work- 
 
 ing, not daring to fally any more, being fo well beaten the 
 * A famous Divine. 
 
 " laft 
 
Spencer Duke of Marlborough. 395 
 
 €< laft time : Our gallery will be finifht within this day or two, 
 44 and then we fhall foon difpatch our mine, and them with it. 
 44 Many of the foldiers are confident, that we fhall have the 
 44 town within this four days, which I extreamly long for, not 
 44 that I am weary of the fiege ; for really, though we fuffer 
 44 many inconvenicncies, yet I am not ill pleafed with this va- 
 44 riety, fo diredtly oppofite, as the being in the trenches with 
 44 fo much good company, together with the noife and tinta- 
 44 marre of guns and drums, with the horrid fpeftacles, and 
 44 hideous crys, of dead and hurt men, is to the folitarinefs of 
 44 my quarter : Which often brings into my thoughts, how in- 
 44 finitely more happy I ftiould efteem myfelf, quietly to enjoy 
 44 your company at Althrope, than to be troubled with the 
 44 noifes, and ingaged in the fa&ions of the Court, which I 
 44 fhall ever endeavor to avoid, &c. When we were at Briftol, 
 44 Sir William was there, but I hear he is now lately gone to 
 44 Hereford, for which I envy him, and all others, that can go 
 4C to their own houfes ; but I hope ere long you will let me 
 44 have your company, the thought of which is to me mod 
 44 pleafant, and paflionately defired, by yours, &c." 
 
 In another letter from Oxford, Sept. the 16th, 1743, but four 
 days before the fight at Newberry, where he was flain, his 
 Lordfhip, gives his Lady this account. 
 
 44 Since I wrote to you laft from Sulbey, we had fome hopes 
 44 of fighting with Lord of EfTex's army, having certain intelli- 
 44 gence of his being in a field convenient enough, called 
 44 Ripple Field, towards which we advanced with all poffible 
 4< fpeed ; upon which he retired with his army to Tewxbury, 
 44 where, by the advantage of the bridge, he was able to make 
 44 good his quarter, with 500 men againft 20000. So that 
 44 though we were fo near as to have been with him in two 
 44 hours, his quarter being fo ftrong, it was refolved on Thur£- 
 44 day, as he would not fight with us, we fhould endeavor to 
 44 force him to it, by cutting off his provifions ; for which pur- 
 44 pofe the beft way was, for the body of our army to go back 
 44 to Evefham, and for our horfe to diftrefs him. Upon which, 
 44 I and others refolved to come for a few days to Oxford, 
 44 where we arrived late on Thurfday night, there being no 
 44 probability of fighting very fuddainly. As foon as I came, 
 44 I went to your father's, where I found Alibone, with whofe 
 44 face I was better pleafed, than with any of the Lady's here. 
 44 This expreffion, is fo much a bolder thing than charging 
 44 Lord Eftex ; that fhould this letter mifcarry, and come to 
 44 the knowledge of our Dames, I fhould, by having my eyes 
 4C fcratcht out, be cleared from coming away from the army 
 44 for fear ; where if I had flayed its odds, if I had loft more 
 44 .than one. Laft night very good news came to Court, that 
 2 44 we 
 
396 Spencer , Duke of Marlborough. 
 
 44 we yefterday morning fell upon a horfe quarter of the ene- 
 
 " ray's, and cut off a regiment. And my Lord of Newcaftle 
 44 hath killed and taken prifoners two whole regiments of horfe 
 
 ** and foot, that ifliied out of Hull ; which place he hath hopes 
 
 44 to take. By the fame mefFenger iaft night, the King fent the 
 
 44 Queen word, he would come hither on Monday or Tuefday ; 
 
 44 upon one of which days, if he alter his refoiutions,. I fhali 
 
 44 not faile to return to the army. I am afraid our fitting down 
 
 44 before Gloucefter, has hindered us from making an end of 
 
 44 the war this year, which nothing could keep us from doing 
 
 44 if we had a month's more time, which we loft there, for we 
 
 44 never were in a more profperous condition : And yet the di- 
 
 44 vifions do not at all dimir.ifn, efpecially betwixt 142 and 412,, 
 
 44 by which we receive prejudice. I never faw 83 [King] ufe 
 
 46 any body with more negledt than 100 [Earl of Holland] 
 
 44 and we fay he is not ufed much better by the Queen. Mrs. 
 
 44 Jermyn met my Lord Jermin (who notwithstanding your in- 
 
 44 telligence, is but a Baron) with whom I came to Woodftoke, 
 
 44 who told me (he would write to you* which I hope fhe hath 
 
 44 done; for fince I came here I have feen no creature, but 
 
 44 your father and my uncle ; fo that I am altogether ignorant 
 
 44 of the intreigues of this place. Before I go hence I hope 
 
 44 fome body will come from you $ however before I go hence, 
 
 44 I (hall have a letter for you. I take the beft care I can 
 
 44 about my economical affairs. I am afraid I fhall not be able 
 
 44 to get you a better houfe, every body thinking me mad for 
 
 44 fpeaking about it. Pray blefs Poppet for me and tell her 
 
 4w I would have writ to her, but that upon mature deliberation, 
 
 44 I found it uncivil to return an anfwer to a Lady, in another 
 
 46 character than her own, which I am not yet learned enough 
 
 44 to do. I cannot by walking about my chamber, call any 
 
 44 thing more to mind to fet down here, and really I have 
 
 44 made you no fmall complement in writing thus much ; for I 
 
 44 have fo great a cold, that I do nothing but fneefe, and my 
 
 44 eyes do nothing but water, all the while I am in this pofture 
 
 44 of holding down my head. I befeech you prefent his fervice 
 
 44 to my Lady, who is moft paffionately and perfectly 
 
 Yours, 
 
 Oxford, September the 16th 1643. SUNDERLAND. 
 
 I have inferted the aforefaid letters, as they fet forth fome 
 particulars of thofe times not fo well known ; and as they 
 fhew his Lordfhip was a perfon of obfervation and addrefs, as 
 alfo a very affectionate and tender hufband. And his fentiments 
 were fo juft, that the Earl of Clarendon, Whitlock, and others^ 
 
 1 Kis daughter, after Marchionefs of Halifax, 
 
 agree 
 
Spencer, Duke of Marlborough, 397 
 
 agree with his Lordfhip, that the undertaking of the fiege of 
 Gloucefter, was the ruin of the King's army, which might have 
 marched to London without oppofition. 
 
 The march of the Earl of Eflex, for the relief of Gloucefler, 
 and the means that contributed thereto, are at large related 
 by the Earl of Clarendon, who throughout his hiftory, is not 
 particular in reciting the days of many remarkable a£Uons» 
 But k Whitlock tells us, that on Sunday and Monday, the 
 3d and 4th of September, the King drew off his carriages, and 
 removed the fiege. His Majefty September 5th, went over 
 Severn towards Briftol ; and Lord Eflex the day following 
 entred Gloucefter. It's needlefs to recount the movements of 
 both armies, till the battle of Newberry, which fell 1 out 
 on the 20th of September, and lafted from about fix in the 
 morning, till ten or eleven at night. It is obferved by the fame 
 author, who had his intelligence from the account fent by the 
 Earl of Eflex m , That the parliament foldiers had the pillage of the 
 dead bodies^ and that both parties fought with great manhood and 
 animofiiy, efpecially the King's horfe, who yet were worjled, and 
 the Earls of Sunderland, and of Carnarvon, who commanded part 
 of them, ivere flain in the fight. The Earl of Clarendon a 
 gives this account. The King's horfe, with a kind of contempt 
 of the enemy, charged zvith wonderful boldnefs, upon all grounds 
 of inequality, and were fo far too hard for the troops of the other fide 9 
 that they routed them in mojl places, till they had left the greatejl 
 part of their foot without any guard at all of horfe. But then 
 the foot behaved themfelves admirably on the enemies part, and 
 gave their fcattered horfe ti?ne to rally, and were ready to affift 
 and fecure them on all occafions. " Here fell (fays the 0 noble 
 * c author) the Earl of Sunderland, a Lord of great fortune, 
 " tender years (being not above three and twenty years of 
 ** age) and an early judgement; who having no command in 
 <£ the army, attended upon the King's perfon, under the 
 
 obligation of honour; and putting himfelf that day in the 
 *• King's troop a volunteer, before they came to charge, was 
 taken away by a cannon bullet; which however, as Lloyd re- 
 lates p , did not wholly take his life away; But through the 
 chinks of a wounded body, expreffed thofe holy thoughts, that went 
 as harbingers of his foul to Heaven, 
 
 On 28 September 1643 q , a black box, and a defk of the 
 Ear] of Sunderland's, were opened at the Earl of Leicefter's 
 lodgings, in Queen's College in Oxford, in the prefence of the 
 Earl of Leicefter, Mr. John Harvey, Mr. William Ailfbury, 
 Dr. Henry Hammond, Mr. Crook, and Mr. Smyth, and two 
 
 k Memorials, p. 69. 1 Ib'id. p. 70. ' ra Ibid. " Hift. of Rebel!. 
 
 S°. Vol. If J. p. 347. 0 Ibid. p. 349. P Memoirs offcOyaMs, p. 433. 
 * Ex Autog. apud Penihurft, 
 
 2 Of 
 
39^ Spencer, Duke of Marlborough. 
 
 of Lord Sunderland's chief fervants, Wingfield Catlin, and 
 Hugh Pennant. At which time Hugh Pennant had delivered 
 to him four pounds, to redeem the Earl's watch, taken from him 
 after his death in battle. 
 
 Robert Earl of Leicefter, his Lordftup's Father-in-law, be- 
 moans his death, in a very remarkable letter, he wrote to his 
 daughter, dated at Oxford ioth of O&ober 1643, which I 
 publiftied among the Sidney memorials Vol. II. p. 271, 272. 
 He therein tells her Ladyfhip, u I know it is to no purpofe 
 46 to advife you not to grieve, that is not my intention ; for 
 4C fuch a lofs as yours, cannot be received indifferently, by a 
 4C nature fo tender, and fo fenfible as yours; but though your 
 4< affedtion to him whom you loved fo dearly, and your reafon 
 4C in valuing his merit (neither of which you could do too 
 4C much) did expofeyou to the danger of that forrow which now 
 4C oppreffeth you; yet if you confult with that affedlion, and 
 <c with reafon, you will fee caufe to moderate that forrow ; for 
 4< your affecSHon to that worthy perfon may tell you, that even 
 cc to it you cannot juftify your felf, if you lament his being 
 4C raifed to a degree of happinefs, far beyond any that he could 
 t€ enjoy upon the earth, &c. and your reafon will allure you, 
 cc that befides the vanity of bemoaning that which hath no 
 45 remedy, you offend him whom you loved, if you hurt 
 " that perfon whom he loved ; remember how apprehenfive he 
 4C was of your dangers, and how forry for any thing that 
 4C troubled you &c. I know you lived happily, and fo as no 
 4C body but your felf, could meafure the contentment of it. 
 4C I rejoiced at it, and did thank God for making me, one of 
 " the means to procure it for you, &c.'* 
 
 Lloyd gives this further account 1 ", that; 44 He was virtuous 
 4C becaufe it became him ; was above vice, as well as without 
 4< it ; a good patriot, promoting trade, manufactures, and the 
 ff 4 privileges of his country ; a good neighbour, beloved of all ; 
 4C a difcreet landlord, a noble houfekeeper ; a friend to the 
 " learned ; and an exemplary matter of a family." From the 
 amiable, and deferved character fo juftly attributed to his Lord- 
 fhip, it may be reckoned, confidering the few years he lived, 
 that his death was a great lofs to his country. 
 
 He left his Lady great with child, who was delivered of a 
 daughter, named Penelope 9 , but it died foon after its birth. 
 I have before mentioned that he hadafon Robert, and a daugh- 
 ter Dorothy, on whom he fetled 10000 1. on her marriage. 
 She was in 1656, married to Sir George Savile Baronet, who 
 was by King Charles the 2d created Marquis of Halifax, and 
 made a connderable figure in that reign. He 1 with the Lady 
 Dorothy his wife, gave a general releafe, dated the 2d of 
 r Memoirs, ut antea. « Ex Scrip, apud Penftiurlh 1 Ibid. 
 
 January 
 
Spencer, Duke of Marlborough. 399 
 
 January 1656, to Robert Earl of Leicefter, Dorothy Countefs 
 Dowager of Sunderland, and other truftees, for the faid 
 10000 1. Which Dorothy Countefs of Sunderland lived to ^ 
 very great age, and was buried by her Lord at Brinton 25th 
 February, 1683-4. She was but twenty three years of age u , 
 when fee had the hard fortune, to lofe her beloved Lord, 
 and entertained no thoughts of marriage for a confiderable time, 
 living retired, a rare example of all chriftian virtues; her 
 houfe (as Lloyd x obferves) being a fan&uary to the loyal fuf- 
 ferers, and learned clergymen; till finding the heavy load of 
 houfe-keeping too troublefome ; fee thereupon went to her 
 father at Penfeurft, and with his confent took to her a fecond 
 hufband /, on the 8th of July, 1652, Robert Smyth of Suttoti 
 at Hone, and Bounds, in Kent, Efquire, fon and heir of Sir 
 John Smyth Knight (by Ifabella his wife, daughter of Robert 
 Rich firft Earl of Warwick) fon and heir of Sir Thomas 
 Smyth, uncle pf Thomas Smyth, created Lord Vifcount 
 Strangford, who had to wife, Barbara daughter of Robert Sid- 
 ney the firft Earl of Leicefter. The Countefs of Sunderland alio 
 furvived her fecond hufband, by whom fee had iffue, Robert 
 Smyth Efquire, Governor of Dover Caftle in the reign of 
 King Charles lid, whofe fon Henry was father of Sydney Staf- 
 ford Smyth, one of the Barons of his Majefty's court of Exche- 
 quer, now living. 
 
 Robert Earl of Sunderland, only fon and heir of the Uft 
 Lord, was from his youth of a manly difpofition, Dr. Peirce, 
 who was his tutor, gave him this character z : " His choice 
 " endowments of nature, having been happily feafoned and 
 " crowned with grace, gave him at once fuch a willingnefs and 
 <c aptnefs to be taught, that reconciled his greateft pains with 
 €< eafe and pleafure 3 and made the education of his dear Lord, 
 not fo much his imployment, as his recreation and reward.'' 
 On his return into England, after his travels, his bright 
 parts and abilities made him foon diftinguifeed, and rendered 
 him univerfally beloved and efteemed. And his Majefty, 
 King Charles, obfervmg his noble and polite behaviour, ap- 
 pointed him his AmbafTador extraordinary to the court of Spain, 
 in 167 1. The Earl of Arlington Secretary of ftate, writes to 
 Sir William Godolphin, envoy in Spain, from Eufton Hall 
 October 9, 1671 \ " We have here my Lord Sunderland, 
 " whofe preparations are making at London, with all pofiible 
 c< Speed, for his Ambafly into Spain, whither he goes under 
 * c the character of his Majefty's extraordinary Ambaflador. I 
 <c will not anticipate any thing on the occafion of his going, moi;e 
 
 M Ex Scrip, apud penfhurrt. * Memoirs, p. 433, Fx Regift. -Ecclef, 
 
 «3e Penfhurft. z Lloyd's Memoirs, ui.airtea. * Ani.ngtQri's Letters, 
 
 Vol II. p, 335. 
 
 ** than 
 
400 Spencer y Duke of Marlborough. 
 
 <€ than that he will carry overtures, which we think will be 
 <c grateful to that court; and alfo his Majefty's new declara- 
 <c tion of his firm refolution to maintain the peace of Aix la 
 <c Chapelle, according to his engagement in the triple alliance, 
 <c whatever calumnies our neighbours are pleafed to throw up- 
 <c on us, as if his Majefty had an intention to depart from it. 
 <c Befides which, it is an uncomfortable obfervation we make 
 cc to our felves, that whilft by our temporifing with France, 
 <c we have kept the peace thefe three years paft, we are only 
 " accufed of intentions and defigns to break it." 
 
 His Lordfliip b fet out for Dover November 22d, to pafe 
 from thence to Calais, and to proceed over land for Madrid j 
 and by letter from thence, dated January 24 (O. S.) 167 1-2, 
 informs the Earl of Arlington, <c That he arrived there, the 
 c< 9th of January N. S. and w T ith Sir William Godolphin, 
 <c had their firft audiences of their Catholick Majefties the 16th ; 
 c< and on the 22d, had their firft conference with the Conde 
 4< de Peneranda, which, he coming to vifit them, began with 
 <€ many complements on his own behalf towards the King 
 44 our matter &c. We replied all fitting expreflions of our re- 
 * c fpe£ts to their Catholick Majefties, and the fincere defire we 
 ct brought, to do that might yet more firmly unite the two 
 <6 crowns together ; and alfo our joy that the Queen had named 
 cc a minifter of fo much authority and credit in this govern- 
 <c ment, and of whom the King our mafter had fo great a 
 " value to confer with us ; which we confidered as a good omen 
 <c for the happy fuccefs of our affairs. He then made a long 
 <c difcourfe of the advantages which England and Spain had \a 
 u all times received, &c. hence we patted to our bufinefs, 
 c< which we began with the great offence our mafter had ta- 
 " ken at the Conde de Monterey's obfeure and referved manage- 
 cc ment of the late treaty at the Hague, and all the fitting ag- 
 cc gravations that might juftify his Majefty's refentment of that 
 46 negotiation, in a conjuncture, when we had difputes of fo 
 <c great moment with the States General, who without doubt, 
 <c would be confirmed, and heightened thereupon, in that pride 
 " and infolence, which had already tranfported them to the 
 tc doing us unfufferable injuries. He faid they never heard of 
 4< any quarrel the King our mafter had with the Hollanders, 
 " till fome weeks ago, &c. And on the 24th having another 
 " conference, we expofed to him the King our matter's deep 
 Ct refentment of the ill behaviour of the Dutch to him, as 
 " well by perfonal indignities, as many contraventions of the 
 " late treaty, which his Majefty had hitherto diflembled not 
 44 to difcompofe the triple alliance, his refolution at length to 
 
 b Bifliop Kennet's Life of King Charles II. in Hift. of England, Vol. Ill; 
 p. 309, c Letters and Negotiations in Spain, Vol, II. p. 134, 135. 
 
 " right 
 
Spencer, Duke of Marlborough. 401 
 
 * c right himfelf, God willing, by force of arms, in conjunction 
 44 with the moft Chriftian King, diflatisfied alfo with the in- 
 44 folence of their proceedings, who had been induced to affift 
 44 our matter in this quarrel, &c. We then propofed, that 
 44 this crown would either join with the two Kings, or declare 
 4C a neutrality, with fuch conveniences to Spain in either 
 44 cafe, as our private inftru&ions directed us to offer. He 
 44 anfwered little, befides his furprize at fuch a determination, 
 44 &c. and prayed we would give him what we had faid in 
 44 writing, that he might reprefent the fame to the Queen and 
 4< council, which we did on the 26th, figning it in the Englifh, 
 44 but with a tranflation in Spanifh, &c. We think that the 
 44 matter hath begotten fo various opinions among thefe minifters, 
 44 that they will not come to any refolution thereon, fo fpeedi- 
 44 ly as we wifh for his Majefty's fatisfaction." 
 
 I fhall only infert part of another letter of his Lordfhip's, to 
 the Earl of Arlington, whereby the reader may judge, of 
 the difficulty of his negotiation, in bringing Spain to join in 
 a declaration of war againft the Dutch, or keep a neutrality b . 
 
 Madrid February 3. O. S. 167 1-2, 
 
 My Lord* 
 
 <c After having given your Lordfhip an account of what I 
 44 have done, I would, if I could, teil you what I am like to 
 44 do; which indeed is fo hard to do, that I believe none of 
 44 thejunfta know their own minds, on which our negotiation 
 4C depends ; they all defire extreamiy to affift the Dutch, and 
 44 would do it Without any kind of hefitation, but for fear 
 4C of the King, though the French were yet more power- 
 44 ful than they are. I hope Mr. Godolphin c will be able 
 44 to carry more certain news, which he grows very impa- 
 « 4 tient to do ; fo much he envies this courier, as thinking 
 44 > him the happieft man in the world. I fend him now for 
 46 what concerns the Duke [of York] having another here 
 4< ready, if there fhould be occaflon. His marriage with the 
 4C Arch-Dutchefs is talked of as publickly, as fuch things ufed 
 4C to be in other places, when a dozen people know them. 
 4C Mr. Godolphin is very little fatisfied with Madrid, though 
 4€ he has feen the fineft thing which has been here a great 
 4C while ; a comedy with fcenes and machines, which the 
 44 Prince de Stigliano gave to the King and Queen in the 
 44 Retiro; whither all the ambaiTadors were invited; and to 
 44 accommodate the difficulty of precedency, on the pretence of 
 4< not meeting with the Nuncio, he and all the reft were 
 4C put in a box, on the right hand of the King's; and we were 
 
 b Letters, &c. prasd p. 140, 14.1. c Ke was the fame perfon created 
 
 Earl of Godolphin, 
 
 Vol. I. D d » alone 
 
40 2 Spencer, Duke of Marlborough. 
 
 44 alone in one of the other fide ; fo that the German Ambaf- 
 44 fador being one of thofe, though the Nuncio and French 
 44 were there, we had reafon to be fatisfied. This I write to 
 44 let your Lordfhip fee, how ingenious thefe people are in 
 44 fuch things, which is not ftrange ; for I believe they think 
 44 more of them than all the reft of the world. I did not know 
 44 whether I fliould vifit the Cardinal de Arragon, who is of 
 44 the jun£ta, becaufe he gives the hand to no body in his own 
 44 houfe, and finding the not meeting him to be very con- 
 44 venient ; to avoid all difputes, I have not yet feen the 
 44 Cardinal ; but if your Lordfhip thinks it proper, it is yet 
 4C time enough, and I can turn it into a complement from the 
 44 King : Reading all this fluff about precedency, your Lord- 
 44 (hip will be of Mr. Godolphin's mind, who fays, They talk 
 4C here of other bufmefs, but they have none \ hut how to get the 
 44 hand of one another. 
 
 44 I am ft 111 in Sir William Godolphin's houfe, it being im- 
 44 poffible for me yet to be any where elfe, which I think is 
 44 not very eafy to him, though I do all I can to make it fo* 
 44 Mr. Godolphin helps very much, fo that though he leaves 
 44 us, before my equipage comes, I mean to go to the houfe 
 4C I have taken, which was the Baron de Batteville's, one of 
 44 the beft in Madrid, with a very fine garden full of orange 
 4C trees and fountains, which I fhall after wiih at Eufton with 
 44 my felf. I hope long before this comes to your Lordfhip's 
 44 hands, you will be perfe&ly free of all remainders of the 
 44 gout, which is earneflly wilhed by, my Lord, 
 
 44 yours, &c." 
 
 It appears from his Lordihip's, and Sir William Godolphin's 
 letters, that he left his Countefs, and the main part of his 
 family in England, till he faw whether his negotiations would 
 fucceed. And by letter from Madrid, February 28, O. S. 167 1-2* 
 to the Earl of Arlington, concludes d , 44 That in the humour 
 44 they are here of fupporting the Dutch^ I believe nothing we can 
 44 offer will be at all valued by the?n; and if the King fhould 
 44 think of making no new propofitions, it would be a very 
 44 unfeafonable time for my wife to begin a journey in. Ther- 
 * 4 fore I beg the favour, you will pleafe to direft her.'* 
 His Lordfhip left Madrid c on May 30, O. S. 1672. And 
 Tune 22. following Sir William Godolphin complains f 44 Of 
 <4 the mifery he was reduced to for want cf fupplies, wherein 
 tc not only his own reputation lofeth ground, but his Majef- 
 44 ty's honour and fervice fufTereth exceedingly ; efpecially 
 cc fince my Lord Sunderland went hence, without making 
 44 any publick entry, which the common fort of people at- 
 
 * Letters, &c, ut ante?., p.. 166. e Ibid, p, 182* f Sbid. p. 176- 
 
 I 44 tribute 
 
Spencer, Duke of Marlborough. 403 
 
 tribute to the want and diflta£tions of our government at 
 home as they think. But the minifters complain of it, as! 
 <c an affront done to their King and Queen, having avowed 
 <c to me, that if my Lord Sunderland and I had not promifed 
 4C to make a publick entry, they would never have admitted 
 cc us in quality of Ambafladors to a private audience, againft 
 
 the ftile of this court, and as hath never been practifed here. 
 <c And as a mark of their refentment, they have fince made 
 " an order of ftate, That no future Ambajfador /hall have 
 <c private audience of their Majejlles, without firjl entring pub- 
 <c /icily; and have already put the fame in execution by deny- 
 * c ing a private audience to the new Ambaffador of Denmark, 
 <c who after our example afked the fame, but could not be 
 * c admitted till he had made his publick entry." 
 
 The Earl of Sunderland, after leaving Madrid rcfided fame 
 time at Paris, as Ambaffador extraordinary to the French King. 
 And Sir William Godolphin, in his letter December 7, 1672/ 
 complaining of exhaufting his private fortune, fays f , I can- 
 " not but believe that my cafe is fingular, and that my Lord 
 " Sunderland is better fupplied at Paris; if not he needeth it 
 <c lefs. That the Ambafladors, in the courts of Vienna, 
 cc Paris, and Madrid, had 100 1. per week ; from which rule 
 iC they had been pleafed to depart in my cafe only, as if my 
 <c eftate were fo much greater, than either Mr. Montague's, 
 <c or my Lord Sunderland's. " And complaining further of his 
 Want of equipage, and not making his publick entry, he re- 
 cites u My Lord Sunderland is gone, and free from the 
 " ways which this court taketh of revenge, though he fuffered 
 " fufficiently when he was here, moil of the Grandees re- 
 <c fufing to pay the vifits he gave them, pretending they could 
 a not vifit him as Ambaffador, till he had made his publick 
 « c entry." 
 
 In 1673, the Swedes offering their mediation for a general 
 peace h , his Majefty appointed the Earl of Sunderland, Sir 
 Lionel Jenkins, and Sir Jofeph Williamfon, his plenipoten- 
 tiaries for the treaty; which was of fhort continuance, for the 
 Emperor feizing the Elector of Cologne's plenipotentiary, the 
 French looked on it, as fuch a violation of the pafports, that 
 they fet it up for a preliminary, before they would enter ctt 
 the treaty. 
 
 His Lordfhip continued abroad till the beginning of the year 
 1674, being followed by Sir Lionel Jenkins, and Sir Jofeph 
 Williamfon, the othqr plenipotentiaries at Cologne \ who arriv- 
 ed from thence at Whitehall, May 10, 1674. And this ac- 
 
 f Letters, &e. ut antea, p. 173. * Ibid, p, 174. h Bifhop Burnet's 
 
 Hiftory of his own Times, 8°. Vol. I. p. 495. 1 Poiuter'j Chron. Hift, 
 
 Vol. 1, p. 246, 
 
 D d 2 count 
 
404 Spencer, Duke of Marlborough. 
 
 count was publifhed in the Gazette k . Windfor, May 27, 1674, 
 44 This day Robert Earl of Sunderland was by his Majefty's 
 €i favour admitted into the Privy Council ; and having taken 
 <c the ufual oaths, took his place at the Board." 
 
 His Lordfhip continued in England, till July 1678, when he 
 was again fent Ambaflador extraordinary to the French King, 
 on Mr. Montague's coming into England, without his Majef- 
 ty's leave 1 ; which occafioned his cabinet to be fearched, on 
 fome private intelligence concerning him, given to the King 
 by Olivecrans the Swedifh Secretary. There being a clofe 
 friendfhip between the Earl of Danby Lord Treafurer, and his 
 Lordihip, his firft letter was addrefled to him from Paris, Au- 
 guft 2, ( O. S.) 1678. He therein informs him m , " The 
 
 44 courier your Lordfliip difpatched from London the 28th of 
 cc July, arived here on V/ ednefday morning. The fame day 
 * c I went to St. Germains, where I reprefented to his moft Chrif- 
 * c tian Majefty, how impoflible it was for the King my maf- 
 <c ter, to accept of any expedient for the peace, without the 
 <c abfolute reftitution of the towns fo long in queftion ; &c» 
 4< That he had ordered me to obtain a fpeedy and pofitive an- 
 <c fwer, which I did defire his Majefty would pleafe to give 
 " in a day or two. To this his Majefty anfwered, that he cer- 
 iC tainly believed, the propofitions he had made at Nimeguen 
 4C would be accepted, and that the peace was, perhaps, now 
 cc figned; or if any fmall difficulty remained, it might eafily 
 iC be removed by the King my mafter, which he doubted not 
 " but he would do. I faid, I was very confident that Spain 
 cc and Holland, neither could nor would, confent to any 
 <c thing lefs, than the total reftitution of the towns; and 
 c< that though the King my mafter's inclinations were for 
 
 45 peace, rather than war, he muft chufe the latter, if the ex- 
 <c pedient he offered was not accepted, and that I had but a 
 <c day or two to expedt his refolutions. To which I was 
 <c anfwered, that every moment news was expected from Ni- 
 <c meguen, and till then it was unneceffary to think of any 
 iC thing elfe, &c. I told him I believed no accommodation could 
 " prevail with Spain and Holland, but the abfolute reftitution 
 <c of the towns j nor that neither after a certain time, which 
 <c either was or would be foon expired, &c." In anfwer to the 
 faid letter, the Earl of Danby informed him by exprefs three 
 days after n , " That he had juft received his letter, and that 
 " his Majefty had commanded him to fend back the courier 
 <c (having received the news that the peace was figned between 
 " France and the States, but knew not the particulars) that he 
 <c might lofe no time in going to his moft Chriftian Majefty, 
 
 k Hift. of England, Vol. III. p. 329. 1 Letters to and from the Earl of 
 
 Danby, p. 106. m Ibid. p. 2S9. » Ibid. p. 293. 
 
 "and 
 
Spencer, Duke of Marlborough. 405 
 
 and letting him know, that the King hopes, he had fuffered 
 6{ all things to return to the fame ftate they were, when his 
 cc Majefty entred with him into the treaty of the 17th of May." 
 And if he mould meet with any difficulty in confirming of that 
 treaty, he was to prefs it as a matter wherein the King had not 
 juftice done, in cafe it mould be refufed, &c. 
 
 There are other letters to the Earl of Sunderland from the 
 Earl of Danby, which fliew the artifices of the French, in pre- 
 vailing on the States General to fign a feparate peace, and the 
 King's refentment of it. And his Lordfhip was 0 ordered to 
 convince the minifters of that court (if he could) " That they 
 4C muft make good the aflurances given for the evacuating of 
 " the towns, if they defire the continuance of his Majefty's 
 " friendihp; who had refolved to let his troops be with the 
 " Prince of Orange, untill there be either a ceflation of arms, 
 44 or an affurance, that the towns fhould be evacuated." 
 
 His Lordfhip in anfwer, from Paris 22 Auguft, 1678, plain- 
 ly fhews his opinion of the French, and their muffling deal- 
 ing with us, and his affiduity in his negotiations, as follows 
 
 To the Lord Treafurer. 
 My Lord, Paris Auguft^-f- 1678. 
 
 " Your Lordfhip had always fo ill an opinion of my nego- 
 <c tiation in this court, that you will not wonder to find, that 
 " they change juft as they think we may be ufeful to them, 
 " that being the meafure they go by. The peace being now 
 * c agreed betwixt this Court and the States, I fuppofe there 
 <c will be no occafion for my continuing much longer here: 
 " but in the mean time, muft beg leave to tell your Lordfhip, 
 <c that fince I came hither, I am fure I have pafled three 
 €C quarters of my time at St. Germains, or on the way to it, 
 " and that I was never there one minute, but upon the King's 
 46 bufinefs; and that I do not think I have omitted any thing, 
 " that could have been done by one in my place. But it is 
 ** certain that the difficulties were made at Nimeguen, on 
 
 purpofe either to obtain by our matter's help, that fome of 
 4C the towns might have remained in the power of France, or 
 " elfe to occafion the lapfe of the time, and fo fave fo much 
 " money; for the peace has without queftion been refolved 
 * 4 here a great while. 
 
 " The court is this day gone to Fontainbleau : I intend to fol- 
 " low in a few days, to be more ready to obey any orders the 
 5C King fhall pleafe to fend me. I am entirely, &c." 
 
 Your Lordfhip's moft faithful 
 
 and more humble fervant, 
 
 SUNDERLANX>. 
 • tetters to and from the Earl of Danby, p, 297, * Ibid, p. 298, 209. 
 
 D d g The 
 
40 6 Spencer, Duke of \ Marlborough. 
 
 The Earl of Danby in anfv/er fays % M As you tell me in 
 <c that of the \\ that I had always fo bad an opinion of that 
 * c court, that I will believe no good can come from it ; fo 
 " I doubt not but your Lordfhip muft be of the fame opinion 
 
 by the tricks and evafions you meet with from them every day. 
 €Q I fhewed your letters to his Majefty, as alfo one I received 
 
 from you by Lord Dunbarton. But the truth is his Majef- 
 c< ty doth now expeft fo little reality from France, that he 
 «f does not much bufy his thoughts, how to tranfaft with 
 " them; being fatisfied that if they can propofe any thing 
 <c to us which may be for their intereft, they will not fail to 
 <c do it themfelves : And whatever his Majefty fhall propofe, 
 " they will only make ufe of it (as they have done) either to 
 <c procure delays by it, or to talk of, to the creating jealoufies 
 €i betwixt us, and their enemies. For thefe reafons his Majefty 
 * c commands me to let your Lordfhip know, that he will pro- 
 Ci pofe nothing, but that he would have you give the fame good 
 * c words to the French King, as he did you, &c." 
 
 The laft letter I find of his Lordfhip's, during his abode in 
 France, is to the Lord Treafurer, dated O&ober 8, O. S. 1678, 
 * wherein, he accquaints him; " That he had with all the 
 " care imaginable let the French King know, that it is im- 
 " poffible for his Majefty to make the declaration, which is 
 
 fo much defiredliere ; and how much he is courted to enter 
 
 into the contrary alliance, and have made the proportions, 
 * 6 your Lordfhip's letters dire£led me to do. To which I can ob- 
 * c tain no anfwer, but that the chief thing tow r ards procuring the 
 * c fatisfaflion of Sweden, is the King's declaring himfelf for 
 * € it, &c. I faid all that was poffible to let him underftand, that 
 cc very advantageous proportions were made to the King : That 
 * c the power of the Prince of Orange, was as confiderable as ever : 
 
 That the bufinefs of Sweden could never be accommodated, if 
 f* the King fhould join with the confederates ; and feveral 
 * 6 things to fortify all that, which I am confident he fees very 
 * 4 plainly, and defires extreamly to fecure the friendfhip of our 
 * c mafter, &c. After this I told him, that I had afked leave to 
 ci go into England for a fhort time, which I hoped to obtain. 
 * 6 He faid he fhould not be forry, that I made fuch a journey, 
 f< becaufe he hoped it would contribute, to the eftablifhing a 
 * c correfpondence, that might be of advantage to my mafter, 
 * 5 and to him. This being the ftate of affairs here, I beg of 
 cc your Lordfhip to afk leave of the King that I may go in- 
 
 to England for a month, or lefs, as he fhall think fit. I 
 ?4 am fure it cannot prejudice his bufinefs, and I hope it may 
 £ c be fome advantage to it; for one cannot write a great many 
 f c little things, which are often important to the greateft, &c. 5 * 
 f Earl of Danby's Letters, p. 500., 301, a Ibid, p. 203, 204. 
 
Spencer > Duke of Marlborough. 407 
 
 Whilft his Lordfhip remained at the court of France, it was 
 the critical time of the treaties at Nimeguen, which ended in a 
 feparate peace betwixt France and Holland ; and at laft with 
 Spain alfo. Whereby his negotiations required great affiduity; 
 and he accquitted himfelf to the fatisfa&ion of his own Sovereign 
 as well as to the King of France. Infomuch as Sir William 
 Temple recites b , he was fent for over from the Hague to come 
 into the place of Secretary of ftate in Mr. Coventry's room, 
 and to enter on it about the fame time with my Lord Sunderland, 
 who was brought into Sir Jofeph Williamfon's place. On No- 
 vember 18, 1678, Sir Jofeph was committed to the Tower by 
 the Houfe of Commons, for figning c commiflions to popifh 
 officers, and warrants for difpenfations to them to continue in 
 their commands, and to be pafled in mufter without taking the 
 oaths of allegiance, &c. according to a late a£L But the King 
 the next day fent for the Commons, and told them, Though 
 they committed his fervant^ zuithout acquainting him ; yet he in- 
 tends to deal more freely with them, and intended to releafe his 
 Secretary. Upon which the Commons immediately drew up an 
 addrefs to his Majefty, fetting forth his crime, and that being 
 a member of their houfe they had committed him, and defired 
 his Majefty not to difcharge him. But the King in his anfwer 
 faid, He had releafed Mr, Secretary Williamfon^ before their ad- 
 drefs came. However not long after, on the difpleafure of the 
 Houfe of Commons againft him d , his Majefty on the 9th of 
 February, 167S, was pleafed to conftitute the Earl of Sunder- 
 land one of his principal Secretaries of State, in his room. 
 
 As Lord Sunderland came then to be at the head of the admini- 
 ftration, I (hall briefly recite Sir William Temple's obfervations 
 on that critical time e . " On his arrival in England the latter 
 " end of February, he found the King had diflblved the parlia- 
 <c ment that had fet 18 years, and a new one called ; and 
 <c that to make way for a calm feffion, the Duke of York em- 
 M barqued the day after his arrival at London, for Holland ; 
 " Lord Shaftfbury, Lord EfTex, and Lord Halifax, had ftruck 
 <c up with the Duke of Monmouth, refolving to make ufe of 
 <c his credit with the King, and fupport it by theirs in the par- 
 <c liament. He found the Lord Treafurer [Earl of Danby] 
 <c and Lord Chamberlain [Earl of Arlington] two moft ad- 
 <c mirable emblems of the true, and fo much admired felicity 
 <c of minifters of ftate. The laft grown out of all confidence 
 < c and credit with the King; and thereby forced to fupport 
 " himfelf by intrigues with the moft difcontented againft Lord 
 ** Treafurer's miniftry, whofe greatnefs he fo much envied ; and 
 < c who was in much worfe condition himfelf, though not 
 
 b Memoirs, Fart II. p. 385, 387. c Hift. of England, Vol. III. p. 354, 
 
 * Ibid. p. 356. « Memoirs, Part II. p. 388, & 
 
 D d 4 « fa 
 
4o8 Spencer, Duke of Marlborough. 
 
 * 6 fo fenfible of it ; for he had been very ill with the lata 
 <4 parliament, on account of tranfa£tions with France, which 
 < c though he had not approved, yet he durft not defend himfelf 
 cc from the imputation, for fear of expofing his mafter. He was 
 <c in danger of being purfued by his enemies in parliament for 
 
 having made the peace, and endeavoured to ftifle the popifh 
 * c plot, and yet fat very loofe with the King, who told Sir 
 u William feveral reafons of that change, whereof one was, 
 * c his bringing the bufinefs of the plot into parliament, againft 
 <c his abfolute command. And to compleat the envied ftate 
 " of this chief minifter, the Dutchefs of Portfmoutb, and Earl 
 * c of Sunderland, were joined with the Duke of Monmouth, 
 ct and Earl of Shaftfbury, in the defign of his ruin. 
 
 The 22Q of February, the King accquainted the parliament f , 
 isvith the removal of the Earl of Danby from the office of 
 Lord Treafurer. He was put out to make way for the Earl 
 of EfTex, who was brought into the Treafury, by the Duke 
 of Monmouth, and the Earl Sunderland s, as recited by Sir 
 William Temple ; and that Lord Sunderland, in compliance 
 was refolved to bring Lord Shaftfbury again into court, being 
 his near relation [his wife then living, was his father's fifterj 
 and was in confidence with the Duke of Monmouth, and 
 Lord Eflex. Sir William Temple did not join with them^ 
 though he kept a good underftanding with the Earl of Sunder- 
 land ; and refufed to be Secretary of ftate (fo that Sir Lionel 
 Jenkins fucceeded Mr. Coventry) though often, and earneft- 
 ly urged to it by Lord Sunderland h , as himfelf relates. And 
 that he projedled the King's eftablifhing a new council, of fuch 
 a conftitutiqn as might gain credit with the parliament, and 
 thereby give eafe and quiet both to the King and his peo- 
 ple. tc And his Majefty coming to a refolution, firft to com- 
 46 municate it to three or four, he could moft rely on, in 
 <c point of judgment, fecrecy and affe£lion to his fervice, 
 f c ordered Sir William Temple to communicate the whole 
 < c fcheme to the Lord Chancellor Finch, Lord Sunderland, 
 " and Lord Eflex; but one after another; and with charge 
 " from him of the laft fecrecy; and bring him word of their 
 ic opinions on it, and if they concurred with his, to appoint 
 f c them tq attend his Majefty the next morning: When they 
 <c were accquainted with it they all received it with equal 
 <c amazement and pleafure. And Lord Sunderland approved 
 f 5 it as much as any. The day after they attended his 
 f c Majefty, and had a very long audience, upon which no 
 f c difficulty arofe but two that were wholly perfonal. Sir 
 f c William had proppfed Lord Halifax tp be one of the 
 f c council^ and thought his Majefty had been contented with 
 
 f Pointer's Chron. Hift. Vol. I. p,259, * Memoirs, Part III. p. i*» 
 
 t 1 Ibid, p. 3 7; iS, I9j 20 to 28, |! it | 
 
Spencer, Duke of Marlborough. 409 
 
 & it; but at this meeting he raifed new difficulties, and ap- 
 ic peared a great while invincible in them, though all joined in 
 « c defence of him: and at laft told the King they would fall 
 " on their knees to gain a point, they all thought fo necef- 
 " fary for his fervice. And then his Majefty consented. The 
 46 other was concerning Lord Shaftfbury, whom the King 
 " had not thought on before; but after Lord Halifax had 
 <c pafTed, the King faid there was another; who if he was 
 <c left out, might do as much mifchief as any, and named 
 ** Lord Shaftfbury; to which the three Lords agreed ; and con- 
 * c eluded farther, that he would never be content with a coun- 
 " cellor's place among thirty, and therefore propofed to add 
 *' one to the number, and make him Lord Prefident. Sir 
 cc William defired his Majefty to remember, that he had no 
 * c part in Lord Shaftfbury's coming into his council or his 
 <c affairs, and that his Majefty and the Lords had refolved it 
 " without him, and was ftill abfolutely againft it. The King 
 * c laughed, and turned his anger into a jeft, and went on 
 * c with the conftltution intended." And at Whitehall the 21ft 
 of April 1679 S they met his Majefty in council; who the 
 fame day told his two houfes, that he had eftablifhed a new 
 privy council ; And had made choice of fuch perfons, as were 
 worthy and able to advife him ; and was refolved in all his weighty 
 and important affairs to he advifed by them k . " And it was re- 
 M ceived with general applaufe in the country, with bonefires in 
 * c the city, and the fame in Ireland: in Holland the actions of 
 " the Eaft-India Company rofe upon it very much, &c." 
 
 Lord Sunderland (as faid before) was defirous of having Sir 
 William Temple Secretary of State in Mr. Coventry's place; 
 but the ill opinion Sir William had of the Earl of Shaftfbury's 
 being employed, made him decline it : 1 Yet on his Lordfhip's 
 defiring by Mr. Sydney, that they three might join together in 
 perfect confidence, and diftinct from any others, in the courfe 
 of the King's affairs, he was willing to embrace it. a This con- 
 
 fidence (fays he) had not run on above a fortnight, when Lord 
 " Sunderland afked me if I were willing Lord EfTex fhould be 
 " received in it, which I confented to, though with intimation 
 4C to Lord Sunderland of the opinion I had (for fome time of 
 cc late) of Lord EfTex. So we met for a while once a day by 
 
 turns, at each of our houfes, and confulted upon the chief 
 u affairs that were then on the anvil, and how they might be 
 " beft prepared for the parliament or the council. But matters 
 " growing very untoward, by the practices of Lord Shaftfbury 
 6C and Duke of Monmouth, and the ill humour of the Houfe 
 6C of Commons about the bufinefs of religion : I propofed to 
 
 1 Appendix to Temple's Memoirs, Part III. p. i, * Memoirs, pned. 
 
 £>. 22, 23. 1 Ibid, p. 2%, 29, 30, 31, & fe<j. 
 
 " LonJs 
 
41 o Spencer \ Duke of Marlborough. 
 
 44 Lords Sunderland and EfTex, to receive Lord Halifax into 
 44 all our confutations, who was unfatisfied by obferving where 
 " the King's confidence was ; and by being admitted, would 
 44 both enter him into credit with the King, and give us more 
 44 eafe in the courfe of his affairs. Lord EfTex received the 
 4C overture with his ufual drynefs : Lord Sunderland oppofed it 
 44 a good deal, and faid I fliould not find Lord Halifax the 
 44 perfon I took him for; but one that could draw with no body, 
 44 and ftill climbing up to the top himfelf. However I conti- 
 44 nued refolute in preffing it, and at length it was concluded ; 
 44 and we fell all four together into the ufual meetings and 
 4C confultations. 
 
 44 The chief matters before the King at that time, were 
 44 firft the fatisfa£Hon of his people, by falling into meafures 
 44 with the parliament, that might enable him to look abroad 
 44 in fuch a figure, as became the Crown of England ; and was 
 * 4 neceffary for preventing a new invafion of France, upon 
 4C Flanders or Holland, which looked very defperate. The 
 ** fecond was on inflances made from the States, about a new 
 4C guaranty to be given upon the late general peace by his Ma- 
 44 jefty ; particularly to Spain in the bufinefs of Flanders : The 
 4C third was giving fome eafe to Scotland, where the humours 
 44 began to fwell, and we conceived could be no way done fo 
 44 ealily as by removal of the Duke of Lauderdale, too much 
 44 hated both here and there, to be fit for the temper, his Ma- 
 4C jefty feemed refolved to ufe in his affairs. For this laft, we 
 44 could not on any terms obtain it of the King, by all the ar- 
 44 guments ufed (jointly and feverally ) by us all four ; the King 
 44 faying none of us knew Scotland fo well as himfelf. 
 
 4C For the fecond, we eafily agreed on the meafures that 
 44 feemed neceffary, for the fatisfaduon of the States, and the 
 44 fafety of Flanders ; being all four of the committee, where 
 4C all foreign affairs w r ere confulted, &c. For the firft, which 
 • 4 was the moft important, we found it more perplexed than 
 44 we could imagine. Both Houfes of Parliament feemed to 
 44 have no eyes, but for the dangers of popery, on the Duke 
 44 of York's fucceffion to the Crown ; which humour was blown 
 44 up by all the arts and intrigues of the Duke of Monmouth 
 44 and Lord Shaftfbury. The King feemed willing to fecure 
 44 them againft thofe fears, without changing the laws in point 
 4C of fucceffion. The council thereupon, with great earneft- 
 44 nefs and endeavour, agreed on heads to be offered the parlia- 
 44 ment commonly enough known ; which were agreed to by 
 44 all the council, except Lord Shaftfbury, and I [Sir William 
 4C Temple] on different grounds. Lord Shaftfoury's was plain* 
 4C That there could be no fecurity again/} the Duke, if once in pof- 
 44 feJJiGn of the Crczvn. And being well infufed by his and the 
 
 44 Duke 
 
Spencer Duke of Marlborough. 4 1 1 
 
 u Duke of Monmouth's friends in the Houfe of Commons, 
 44 occafioned their fullen rejecting all expedients offered them 
 44 by the King. During all thefe tranfa£tions (faith Sir Wil- 
 <4 liam Temple m ) Lord Sunderland, Lord Effex, Lord Halifax, 
 44 and I, continued our conftant meetings and confutations, 
 44 and with fo much union, and fo difinterefted endeavours, for 
 44 the general good of his Majefty's fervice, and the Kingdom's ; 
 44 that I could not but fay to them at the end of one of ourmeet- 
 44 ings: That we four, were either the four honefteft men in Eng- 
 44 land, or the greateft knaves ; for we made one another at 
 44 leaft believe, that we were the honefteft men in the world. 
 
 44 But after the Houfes of Parliament, rejecting the expedients 
 44 offered by the King and Council, Lord Shaftfbury finding 
 44 himfelf neither in confidence with the King, nor credit in 
 44 the Council, inflamed the Houfe of Commons to that degree, 
 44 as made the Lords [beforementioned] caft about which way 
 44 to lay the ftorm. At length Lord Sunderland told me, that 
 44 Lord EfTex, and Lord Halifax were of opinion, that it was 
 44 neceffary to take in the Duke of Monmouth, and Lord Shafts- 
 44 bury, into the firft digeftion of affairs, confidering the in- 
 44 fluence they had on the Houfe; and for this end to agree 
 44 with them in the baniftiment of the Duke, either for a certain 
 44 term, or during the King's life ; and defired to know whether 
 44 I would fail into it with them, and join in bringing it about 
 44 with the King. I told Lord Sunderland, pofitively I would 
 4C not : &c. This was peremptory, and fo it ended : The three 
 44 Lords fell into meetings and confultations, with the Duke of 
 44 Monmouth, and Lord Shaftfbury. 
 
 The Earl of Sunderland being fo much concerned in all 
 councils, I concluded, this brief abftraft from Sir William 
 Temple, could not properly be omitted, as it fhews his Lord- 
 fhip's difpofition and endeavours, both for the King's eafe and 
 quiet, as well as the fatisfaftion of his people. But fuch was 
 that conjundtion, as Sir William Temple n obferves, that it 
 lafted little more than a fortnight, the Duke of Monmouth 
 and Lord Shaftfbury endeavouring to be at the head of all af- 
 fairs, by prevailing on the Houfe of Commons, to bring the 
 King into neceffities of yielding all points to them. So that 
 the three Lords agreed on proroguing the parliament, as the 
 only remedy left in the prefent diftemper; and communicating 
 their thoughts to Sir William Temple, he was of the fame opi- 
 nion ; and they were to propofe it to the King and Council. 
 And in this refolution (fays Sir William) we parted, and 
 appointed to meet again two days after, for the fixing it with 
 his Majefty. And going into the country, and returning the 
 third morning early, he found Lord Sunderland had called or 
 B Memoirs, Part III. p. 37, & feq, ft Ibid. p. 40, 41, & feq. 
 
 fent 
 
412 Spencer, Duke of Marlborough. 
 
 fent feveral times to his houfe the night before, and left word he 
 muft needs fpeak with him. As foon as he came to town, he 
 fent immediately to Whitehall, but found his Lordftiip was 
 gone with the King to the Houfe of Peers. Whereupon he 
 went to Lord EfTex, as neareft him, and afked whether any 
 thing new had happened ; who told him, that the King had found 
 there were remonftrances ready prepared in the Houfe of Com- 
 mons to inflame the city and nation, on the points of plot and 
 popery; and that their three Lordfhips having upon it con- 
 sulted with his Majefty, he had refolved the parliament fhould 
 be prorogued that morning, upon the King's coming to the 
 houfe ; and that it could not be allowed time, by a debate of 
 council. Accordingly the parliament was prorogued, with great 
 refentment of both Houfes, and fuch rage of Lord Sbaftfbury, 
 that he faid on it aloud in the houfe, he would have the heads 
 of thofe who were the advifers of the prorogation. 
 
 On ftories being raifed of Sir William Temple •, being a man 
 of arbitrary principles, Lord Sunderland on the knowledge 
 thereof, p " thought that he who had fuch a part in the King's 
 " affairs, ought to ftand as well as he could with the Houfe of 
 <c Commons (where endeavours being made for impeaching him 
 <c there, for making the general peace) prefled him to fuffer 
 ic feveral things he had formerly written, and of which copies 
 
 had run, to be then printed (as they were) under the title of 
 « c Mifcellanea. He thought (fays Sir William) by that publi- 
 * c cation, men would fee, I was not a man of the dangerous 
 
 principles pretended ; and I might allure the world, of being 
 <c author of no books that had not my name. Lord Halifax 
 
 commending them to me in general, told me as a friend, 
 <c that I fhould take heed of carrying too far the principle of 
 cc paternal dominion (which was deduced in the EfTay of Go- 
 * c vernment) for fear of deftroying the rights of the people. So 
 " tender was every body of thofe points at that time." 
 
 After Lords Sunderland, EfTex, and Halifax, had no com- 
 merce with the Duke of Monmouth and Lord Shaftfbury, Sir 
 William Temple came again to their meetings and confulta- 
 tions, wherein they were unanimous, as he obferves, " And 
 " confidered how to make way for a better tempered feflion of 
 4C parliament, after the fhort prorogation made. They alfo 
 iC concluded meafures with Holland in all points, to the fatis- 
 * c fadtion of their ambaflador; and thought of fuch a£ts of 
 <c council, as might exprefs his Majefty's care for fupprefling 
 * c popery, even in the intervals of parliament." 
 
 There had been a perpetual appearance of ill humour at coun- 
 cil, between Lord Shaftfbury, and Lord Halifax, which often 
 tiroke into fpightful repartees between them j and the Duke of 
 ° Memoirs, Part JII, p 44. p IbicU p. 46, q 1W* p. 5-1. 
 
 Monmouth 
 
Spencer, Duke of Marlborough. 413 
 
 Monmouth had broken all meafures with Lord Eflex. And the 
 term of the prorogation of parliament being near, all agreed the 
 feffion could not conveniently begin before O&ober, and a day 
 was appointed to confider of it in council. " The Duke of 
 <c Monmouth (fays Sir William r ) was greater than ever: 
 <c Lord Shaftfbury reckoned on being fo too, at the meeting of 
 <c the parliament, and at the coft of thofe he took to be authors 
 <c of the prorogation : Lords Eflex and Halifax looked upon 
 c< themfelves as moft in danger, and aimed at by Lord Shafts- 
 <c bury's threats, and out of all meafures with the Duke of 
 <c Monmouth. This induced a confultation among us, whether 
 <c confidering the diftempers of the prefent parliament, the beft 
 <c courfe were not to diflblve it, and have another called in 
 c< O&ober; wherein the three Lords and I agreed, and the 
 <c King was perfectly of the fame mind. So it was refolved, 
 " his Majefty fliould propofe at the next council, whether it 
 <c were beft to prorogue that parliament, or diflblve it, and at 
 w the fame time call another; and that at the fame time, the 
 " Lord Chancellor, and other chief officers depending on the 
 <c King, fhould be acquainted with his mind, either by his 
 <c Majefty, or the three Lords. In our laft meeting we had 
 ic calculated how many at council, could in any probability 
 " oppofe diflblving the parliament, and calling another; and 
 u concluded there could not be above fix againft it at the moft; 
 <c which we thought a great fupport to the King's refolution, 
 <c againft the exclamations expe&ed from Lord Shaftfbury and his 
 * c friends : When the council-day came, I afked Lords Sunder- 
 <c land and Halifax, whether all was prepared ; and Lord Chan- 
 <c cellor, and other chief officers had been fpoke to ? They faid 
 *' no, it had been forgotten or neglefted ; but the King would 
 <c do it to each of them apart, as they came that morning, and 
 " before the council began. When the council fate the King 
 " propofed his thoughts, whether it was beft for his affairs, to 
 <c prorogue the parliament till O&ober, or diflblve it, and call 
 <c another at that time ; and defired their opinions in it. 
 
 <c I obferved (fays Sir William) a general furprize at the 
 c< board ; which made me doubt the King had fpoke of it to 
 €C few or none but the Chancellor before he came in ; but it 
 €i foon appeared he had not done that neither, for after a fhort 
 " paufe, he was the firft that rofe up, and fpoke long and vio- 
 <c lently againft the diflblution; was followed by every man 
 " there, except the three Lords, who fpoke for the diflblution; 
 " but neither they with half the length or force of argument 
 " they intended to have done ; leaving that part, as I fuppofed, 
 4C to me. I was the laft but one to fpeak, and faw argument 
 44 would fignify nothing, after fuch inequality was declared in 
 
 r Memoirs, p. 55, &c. 
 
 I " number g 
 
414 8pe?7cer, Duke of Marlborough. 
 
 <c number : And faid in fliort, that I thought it was every 
 S man's opinion, that a happy agreement between his Majefty 
 4 < and his parliament was of neceffity to his affairs, both at 
 <c home and abroad. That his Majefty had fpoken fo much of 
 * c his defpairing about any agreement with this parliament, and 
 " the hopes he had of doing it with another ; that for my part I 
 " thought his Majefty could better judge of it than any body 
 " elfe. So his Majefty ordered the Chancellor to draw up a 
 <c proclamation for diflblving the parliament, dated July 1 2, 1 679,, 
 " and calling another to affemble in October following." Which 
 parliament was prorogued to the 26th of January s , at whieh 
 time the King made a fhort fpeech to the two Houfes, and then 
 commanded the Lord Chancellor to prorogue them to the 15th 
 of April next, 1680. 
 
 But the King in Auguft 1679% fell fick at Windfor, and 
 with three fuch fits of a fever u , as gave much apprehenfion, 
 and a general amazement ; people looking on any ill to the 
 King as an end of the world ; as obferved by Sir William 
 Temple, who after the fecond fit, waited on his Majefty ; and 
 did not think him in danger. And that he found and left the 
 three Lords very diligent at Court, attending both his perforx 
 and affairs, which he was very glad of, and fo went home, 
 without entering further into difcourfes with them, than on his 
 Majefty's ficknefs. 
 
 The Duke of York returned into England Sept. 2, to the 
 general furprize of the nation ; and the fecret of his coming 
 was not known, till Sir William Temple difclofed it. He af- 
 ferts w , " That on the King's firft illnefs, the Lords Eflex and 
 <c Halifax, being about him, thought his danger great, and 
 <c their own fo too ; and that if any thing happened to the 
 " King's life, the Duke of Monmouth would be at the head of 
 " the nation, in oppofition to the Duke and popery ; and in 
 4< conjunction with Lord Shaftfbury, who had threatned to 
 <c have their heads on prorogation of the laft parliament ; which 
 <c threat, Lords Eflex and Halifax applied to themfelves; 
 <c reckoning Lord Sunderland out of danger, by his relation to 
 " Lord Shaftfbury, and the fair terms between them. This 
 " fright had fo affected thefe two Lords, that not ftaying to 
 * c fee what the King's fecond fit would be, they propofed to 
 * c the King, the fending immediately for the Duke ; which be- 
 " ing refolved, and the difpatch made with all ihe fecrecy and 
 cc fpeed, the Duke came over; but finding the King recovered, 
 <c it was agreed to pafs for a journey of his own, and that it 
 " fhould be received by his Majefty and the three Lords, with 
 " all figns of furprize. When this was done, they found the 
 
 • Kift. of England, Vol. III. p. 365. f Ibid. u Teir.plc's Memoir?, 
 
 p. 67, 68. * Ibid. p. 73, 70, So. 
 
 « Duke 
 
Spencer y Duke of Marlborough. 415 
 
 ct Duke of Monmouth fo enraged at this council, as well as 
 " Lord Shaftfbury, that they faw no way but to ruin them 
 <c both, and throw them quite out of the King's affairs, and 
 " joining themfelves wholly with the Duke's intereft ; which 
 " they did for that time, till they had brought about all his 
 <c Highnefs defired for his fecurity, againft the Duke of Mon- 
 <c mouth, and Lord Shaftfbury ; the firft going over to Holland, 
 w and the other being turned out of the council." 
 
 Not long after, Lords Eflex and Halifax grew difcontented 
 x upon the private examination, of that called the Meal-Tub- 
 Plot ; finding themfelves mentioned in it, and yet left out of 
 the fecret examinations thereof. So that Lord Eflex 7 refigned 
 his place of firft Commiflioner of the Treafury, November 19, 
 1679 ; and Lord Halifax retired to his feat at Rufford. 
 
 On Lord Eflex's leaving the Treafury Mr. Hyde (after Earl 
 of Rochefter) came of courfe to be firft Commiflioner z , and 
 was fworn of the privy council ; and February 4, following* 
 Sidney Godolphin Efquire, (after Earl of Godolphin) the 2d 
 Commiflioner of the Treafury, was fworn of the privy council, 
 and took his place at the board. <fi Thefe two, faith Sir Wil- 
 " liam Temple a , had always been my friends, and agreed 
 €C with me in all my opinions and meafures, about affairs a- 
 «J broad or at home. And joining in confidence with the Lord 
 « c Sunderland, were efteemed to be alone in the fecret and 
 < c management of the King's affairs, and looked upon as the 
 <c Miniftry. October came on, wherein the parliament was 
 « c to meet. The Duke was in Flanders ; the Duke of Mon- 
 « c mouth in Holland ; and Lord Shaftfbury fet on foot peti- 
 <c tions, in cafe they did not fit b . The King in council af- 
 f* ter a little paufe told them, that upon many confideration£ 
 s 1 which he could not at prefent acquaint them with, he found 
 " it neceflary to make a longer prorogation of the parliament 
 " than he had intended : That he had confidered all the confe- 
 " quences, fo far as to be abfolutely refolved, and not to hear 
 <c any thing that fhould be faid againft it ; and charged the 
 4C Lord Chancellor to prorogue it to that time twelvemonth. 
 «* All at council were ftunned with this furprizing refolution, 
 " and the way of propofing it ; except thofe few who were in 
 <c the fecret, and they thought fit to be filent, and leave it 
 " wholly on his Majefty. Several rofe up, and would have 
 u entered into the confequences of it; but the King would not 
 <c hear them." 
 
 It's related by Bifhop Burnet c , that about this time, the 
 Prince of Orange had projected an alliance with France ; and 
 
 x Memoirs, p. 85, 8'6. * Hift. of England, Vol. III. p. 367. * Ibid. 
 
 & p. 368. a Memoirs, p. 87,82. b Ibid. p. 89, ao, c Hiftory 
 
 of his own Times, 8°, Vol. II. p. 114. 
 
 that 
 
41 6 Spencer, Duke of Marlbortugh. 
 
 that the Earl of Sunderland entred into a particular confidence? 
 with the Prince, which he managed by his uncle Mr. Sidney 
 [after Earl of Romney] who was fent envoy to Holland. 
 
 Sir William Temple recites d , " Lord Sunderland was ftruck 
 " with the boldnefs of the lords prefentment [of the Duke] in 
 " Weftminfter-Hall, and the confequence of fuch men being 
 <c fo defperately engaged in an attempt they were like to be 
 " feconded, by the humour of the nation, on the alarms of 
 <c popery ; which made him conclude the King would not be 
 " able to fupport the Duke any longer, but be forced to fe- 
 <c parate his intereft from him. And he believed the King 
 f c was of the fame mind. Mr. Godolphin fell into the fame 
 <c thoughts with Lord Sunderland, both of the thing it felf, 
 " and of the King's mind in it : fo as upon the debate in 
 ec council, concerning the Duke's ftay, or going back into 
 4C Scotland before the parliament met, they joined abfolutely 
 <c in the reafons and advices of his going away : And though 
 4C the reft of the council were generally of the contrary opinion, 
 <c yet the King concluded thereon againft the Duke's wilt 
 " and his friends. 
 
 The Duke went away *, and the parliament met O&ober 
 21, 1680. " The Dutch efs ofPortfmouth declared openly for 
 <fi the exclufion of the Duke f ; and fo did Lord Sunderland, 
 * c and Mr. Godolphin. Lord Sunderland allured all people that 
 <c the King was refolved to fettle matters with his parliament 
 " on any terms, fince the intereft of England, and the affairs 
 " of Europe made a league againft France indifpenfably ne- 
 u ceflary at that time ; which could not be done without a 
 " good underftanding at home. Lord Halifax allured me [Bifhop 
 <c Burnet] that any limitations whatfoever leaving the title 
 <c of King to the Duke, might be obtained of his Majefty. 
 " But that he was pofitive and fixed againft the exclufion, 
 <c which was in a great meafure imputed to his management, 
 " and that he wrought the King up to it." 
 
 The bill pafled the Houfe of Commons, and was brought up 
 to the Lords s. The Earls of Effex and Shaftfbury argued molt 
 for it; and the Earl of Halifax againft it; and in conclufion 
 was thrown out upon the firft reading, the whole bench of 
 Bifhops being againft it. The Commons inflamed at the fate 
 of their bill, addrefled the King to remove Lord Halifax 
 from his councils and prefence forever. The King was re- 
 folved and declared againft the bill, which induced feveral to 
 form expedients, whereof one was drawn by Biftiop Burnet, 
 to be managed chiefly by Littleton, then in commiffion of the 
 Admiralty, That there Jhould be a pretext or declared, with whom 
 
 d Memoirs, p. 114,115, n6. e Hift. England, p. 371* f Bifhop 
 
 Burnet, prsed, p. n6# * ibid. p. u8, 119. 
 
 Regal 
 
Spencer, Duke of Marlborough. 4. if 
 
 Regal Power Jhould be lodged^ and the Prince of Orange to bi 
 named. Lord Halifax, and Seymour liked it; but fays the; 
 Bifhop, / wondered to find Lord Sunderland did not go into it. 
 
 Sir William Temple recites h , " The King's quarrels t6 
 <€ Lord Sunderland were chiefly two; firft his voting in the 
 €C Lord's Houfe for the bill of exclufion, not only againft the 
 " King's mind, but his exprefs command. And I remember, 
 <c when I fpoke to him of it, as what the King muft refent* 
 cc and what I was confident he would be {ready in, he told m& 
 <c it was too late, for his honour was engaged, and he could 
 4< not break it. The other was a memorial fent over by Mr. 
 * c Sydney the King's envoy at the Hague, and given him by 
 €Q penfioner Fagel, reprefenting the fad confequences abroad 
 €i of his Majefty's not agreeing with his parliaments ; the 
 <c danger of his Allies, and of the proteftant religion ; and 
 cc thereupon, feeming to wifh that the King would not break 
 6C with them, though it were even upon the point of the bill 
 *' of exclufion. This was believed to be directed and advifed 
 cc by Lord Sunderland to Mr. Sydney his uncle, as a matter 
 " that would be of weight to induce the King to pafs the bill; 
 " and was laid before the foreign committee. But Lord Sun- 
 " derland protected to me (fays Sir William Tempie) that he 
 <c knew nothing of it, till he received a copy from Mr* 
 <c Sydney, who fent the orginal to the other fecretary. I 
 " thought he could not underftand the King fo ill, as to be- 
 * c lieve that would be a motive to him to pafs the bill, or 
 " that it could have any other effect than to anger him at the 
 u Dutch, for medling in a matter that was domeftick, not on* 
 <c ly to the nation, but to the crown. Befides I obferved the 
 <c ftyle to be of one that understood little of our constitution, 
 44 by feveral expreffions, whereof one was, why the King 
 <c fhould not prevent fuch confequences, when he might do 
 ct it, by a ftroak with a pen; which fliewed the author 
 <c thought our ads of parliament had been parted by only the 
 <c King's figning them. And the whole caft of it made me 
 " believe it certainly came from penfioner Fagel. However 
 * 4 the King, as well as fome of the committee, believed this 
 <c was of Lord Sunderland's forge ; and that many of the heats 
 " in the Houfe of Commons, had been encouraged and raifed 
 44 to fuch height, by his feeming to favour them $ which they 
 cc might think he would not do unlefs he believed the King 
 6C would at length comply with them." 
 
 Sir William Temple alfo relates, <c That during the feflion* 
 u there was an outrageous quarrel, between Lord Sunderland^ 
 <c and Lord Halifax [who married his fifter] not only on their 
 46 dividing in bufineffes of the parliament and council ; but 
 h Vide his Memoirs from p. 14.Q to J%%* 
 
 Vol, I. E e " like- 
 
41 8 Spencer, Duke of Marlborough. 
 
 44 likewife on Lord Sunderland's entring into new commerce and 
 44 meafures with Lord Shaftfbury ; as Lord Halifax told him. 
 44 But Lord Sunderland told him another reafon of their quarrel,; 
 44 which he faid broke out the fame night a debate arofe at 
 44 council, concerning the addrefs of the Houfe of Commons 
 44 againft Lord Halifax, wherein Lord Sunderland had been 
 44 of opinion, the King fhould not yield to it: but after 
 44 council, Lord Halifax went to Lord Sunderland's lodgings, 
 44 where they fell into difcourfe of what had pafled : and Lord 
 44 Sunderland told him, that though he had given his opinion 
 44 in council, as he thought became him ; yet if fuch an ad- 
 44 drefs (hould ever be made againft himfelf, he would cer- 
 44 tainly defire leave of the King to retire, as it would be 
 44 for his fervice. Upon which, Lord Halifax fell into fuch 
 44 a paffion, that he went out of the room, and from that time 
 44 they hardly lived in any common civility where they met. 
 44 The refiners ( faith Sir William ) thought Lord Halifax,, 
 44 who faw himfelf topped by Lord Sunderland's credit and 
 44 ftation at court, refolved to fall in with the King, on th© 
 54 point then in debate about the bill of exclufion, wherein he 
 44 found the King fteady, and that Lord Sunderland would 
 44 lofe himfelf; fo that falling into confidence with the King 
 44 upon fuch a turn, he fliould be alone chief in the miniftry 
 44 without competitor. At leaft the reafoners on this matter 
 44 could find no other ground for fuch a change in Lord 
 44 Halifax's courfe, after what he had fo long fteer'd, and fo 
 44 lately in being the chief promoter, of the Duke's being fent 
 ** away to Scotland, juft before the meeting of the Parliament.'^ 
 44 Thefe were the reafons, that Lord Sunderland, Lord Eflex's 
 44 names, and mine were flrruck out of the council." And on the 
 2d of February 1 680-1 ! , Edward Earl of Conway, was fworn 
 Secretary of State in his Lordfhip's place. The King had dif- 
 folved the parliament, and ordered the Lord Chancellor to 
 iflue writs for the calling of a new parliament, to be holder 
 at Oxford, on the 21ft of March. 
 
 Whereupon the heads of the Univerfity of Cambridge fen? 
 to Sir William Temple k , to know whether he would ftand 
 again for their election ; who going to the King to know his 
 pleafure, what anfwer to return : His Majefty faid, as Things 
 food, he thought it as well for him to let it alone; which he faid 
 he would do. 44 When I left the King, fays Sir William, I 
 44 went to Lord Sunderland, and told him what had pafled 
 •* who took this as the fir ft certain fign of his Majefty's having 
 4,4 fixed his refolution, and left ofFall thoughts of agreeing with- 
 44 his parliaments, and of his having taken his meafures another 
 44 way, for the fupply of his treafures in the ill condition they 
 1 Hiit.. of England, Vol. HI. p. $$q } 501; k Vide Memoirs, p. 236, 237, 238. 
 
 jl; were- 
 
Spencer, Duke of Marlborough. 419 
 
 ft were in. And that if there were any thoughts of agreeing 
 " with the next parliament, the King he was fiire would have 
 \ " been glad to have had me in the houfe. He faid upon it in 
 <c fome paffion, that he now gave all for gone, and that he 
 <c muft confefs I knew the King better than he had done" 
 
 His Lordfhip, after his difmiffion from the adminiftration* 
 was in no difcontent, or held commerce with thofe Lords who 
 were inflamed againft the Court. The parliament being ap- 
 pointed to meet at Oxford, many were 1 apprehenfive of arbitra- 
 ry defigns; and thereupon the Duke of Monmouth, the Lord 
 - Shaftfbury, with feveral other Lords, petitioned the King, that 
 he would be gracioufly pleafed to order it to fit at Weftminfter ; 
 and Lord EiTex delivered the petition ; but Lord Sunderland re- 
 fufed to fign it, and his Majefty perfifted in his refolution of 
 holding the parliament at Oxford. On their meeting the Lords 
 and Commons difagreeing on the impeachment of Fitz-Harris, 
 and the bill for excluding the Duke of York being read the 
 firft time m , the King thereupon diffolved the parliament, when 
 it had fat but eight days* 
 
 Soon after, the King, and his Minifters, called fome of the 
 late chief members of the Houfes of Parliament, as well as o- 
 thers, into queftion for their liberties, and fome of them for 
 their lives. But his Majefty diffatisfied with their proceedings^ 
 again admitted the Earl of Sunderland, to be fworn of his privy 
 council n , on the 20th of Sept. 1682 : And on the 31ft of Ja- 
 nuary following, he ° was fworn in council, principal Secretary 
 of State, in the place of the Earl of Conway, who had before 
 fucceeded his Lordfhip. Bifliop Burnet has obferved p, That 
 the King had an entire confidence in the Earl of Sunderland^ 
 and that he was reconciled to the Duke, by the mediation 
 of the Lord Hyde : u And that his Majefty was the more de- 
 " firous to have his Lordfhip again near him, that he might 
 " have fomebody about him, who underftood foreign affairs. 
 <c Jenkins underftood nothing; but had fo much credit with the 
 " high church party, that he was of great ufe to the Court. 
 " Lord Conway was fo very ignorant of foreign affairs, that 
 * c his province being the North, when one of the foreign Mi- 
 tx nifters talked to him of the circles of Germany, it amazed 
 " him : He could not imagine what circles had to do with 
 cc affairs of State. He was now difmiffed. 
 
 The Earl of Sunderland on his re-admiffion,* was tender of 
 oppofing the Duke of York in his meafures, who <i was reftored 
 by the King to his place in the council, and to his offices of 
 profit and honour, without any fcruple that it was againft the 
 
 1 Hift. of England, p. 383, 384. m Ibid. p. 387. » Ibid p. 396. 
 
 • Ibid. p. 397. f Hiftory of his own Time, p. 183, 184. * Hift. of 
 England, p. 415, 
 
 E e 2 law 
 
420 Spencer, Duke of Marlborough. 
 
 law to hold them. Yet Bifliop Burnet recites r , That the King 
 growing uneafy with the Earl of Rochefter in the year 1684, 
 he was glad to fend him from the Court, and confented to the 
 Duke's requeft of making him Lord Lieutenant of Ireland. On 
 which Lord Sunderland reprefented to the King, that though 
 it had been cuftomary for the Lords Lieutenants to be Gene- 
 rals of the army, as well as Governors of the Kingdom ; where- 
 by the giving commiffions brought the army into their depen- 
 dance, which Was too much in one perfon. And therefore he 
 propofed there fhould be a General of the army, independent 
 on the Lord Lieutenant, and who fhould be a check upon him. 
 And he told the King, That if he thought it was a good maxim 
 for the government of Ireland, he ought to begin it, when a 
 creature of his own was fent thither, who had not fuch a right 
 to difpute points of that kind v/ith him, as antient Noblemen 
 might pretend to. The Bifhop fays further, That Lord Ro- 
 chefter was much mortified with it; yet little regard was had 
 to all that he could objecT: to this new method ; for the King 
 feemed to be more pleafed with it, becaufe it afflicted him fo much. 
 The Bifhop alfo relates s , That Lord Sunderland, not long 
 before the King died, formed a new fcheme, that very probably 
 would have for ever broken the King and the Duke. Yet how it 
 was laid, was fo great a fecret he could never penetrate into it. 
 But it was laid at Lady Portfmouth's, and Lord Godolphin was 
 alfo in it. The Duke of Monmouth came over fecretly ; and 
 though the King did not fee him, yet he went back very well 
 pleafed with his journey ; but he never told his reafon to any 
 that he knew of. Mr. May of the privy purfe told the Bifliop, 
 a defign would break out, with which he himfelf would be well 
 pleafed. " And told him, he knew by the King's way, things 
 were not yet quite ripe, nor he thoroughly fixed on the de- 
 * c fign. That with which they were to begin, was, the fending 
 tc the Duke to Scotland. And it was generally believed (fays 
 <€ the Bifliop) that if the two brothers fhould be once parted, 
 " they would never meet again. The King fpoke to the Duke 
 <c concerning his going to Scotland : And he anfwered, that 
 <c there was no occafion for it : Upon which the King replied, 
 " that either he muft go, or that he himfelf would go thither. 
 cc His Majefty was obferved (fays the Bifhop) to be colder 
 <c and more referved to the Duke than ordinary. But what 
 <c was under all this was ftill a deep fecret l . He had for thefe 
 * c laft three years, directed all our counfels, with fo abfolute 
 <c an authority, that .the King feemed to have left the govern- 
 <c ment wholly in his hands :" Yet it is related by all our Hiff 
 <c torians, that had the King lived a few months longer, the 
 " Duke would have been fent from Court. 
 r Hift. of his own Time, p. 274,275, s Ibid. p. 278, 279. t Ibid, p 297* 
 
 On 
 
Spencer, Duke of Marlborough. 421 
 
 On the demife of King Charles, the Earl u of Sunderland 
 was one of the privy council, that figned the order dated at 
 Whitehall, February 6, 1684, for proclaiming James the lid. 
 King of England, &c. And employments ending with the life 
 of the King, his Majefty by proclamation w , fignified his 
 pleafure, that all men fliould continue in their places till his 
 further order. Bifhop Burnet recites x , 44 That the Earl of Sun- 
 44 derland was looked on as a man loft at Court ; and fo was 
 44 Lord Godolphin. But the Earl of Rochefter upon his 
 44 advancement, became fo violent and boifterous, that the 
 44 whole Court joined to fupport the Earl &f Sunderland, as 
 44 a proper ballance to the other. And the Queen was made 
 44 to confider the Earl of Rochefter, as a perfon that would 
 44 be in the interefts of the King's daughters -> fo {he faw it 
 44 was necelTary, to have one in a high poft, who fhould 
 44 depend wholly on her, and the Earl of Sunderland was 
 44 the only perfon capable." 
 
 His Lordftiip was one y of the commiflioners, appointed 
 to hear and determine the claims concerning fervices to be 
 performed at the King's Coronation. After the rebellion of 
 the Duke of Monmouth was fuppreffed, the King in his 
 fpeech to the parliament, the 9th of November 1685 z , tells 
 them, 4 4 Let no man take exception, that there are fome 
 44 officers in the army not qualified according to the late 
 44 Tefts for their employments, &c. I will deal plainly 
 44 with you, that after having had the benefit of their fer- 
 44 vices in fuch time of need and danger, I will neither ex- 
 44 pofe them to difgrace, nor my felf to the want of them, if 
 44 there mould be another rebellion." To which the Com- 
 mons in their addrefs to the King, reprefent, That the of- 
 ficers cannot by law be capable of their imployments ; and the 
 incapacities they bring upon themfelves that way, can no way 
 he taken off but by an ad of parliament, &c. 44 And therefore 
 44 befeech his Majefty, that he will give fuch directions 
 44 therein, that no apprehenfions or jealoufies, may remain 
 44 in the hearts of his loyal fubjecls." 
 
 On that head, the Earl of Sunderland in his letter to a 
 friend in London, in his own vindication, licenfed March 
 the 23d 1689, fays, 44 The difpenfing power I never heard 
 44 fpoken of, till the time of Monmouth's rebellion, that the 
 44 King told fome of the council, of which I was one, that 
 44 he was refolved to give employments to Roman catholicks, 
 44 it being fit that all perfons mould ferve that could be ufeful, 
 44 and on whom he might depend : I think every body advifed 
 
 u Gazette, No. 2006. w Hift. of England, Vol. III. p. 420, 
 
 % Hid. of his own Time, p. 299. y Hift. of King James's Coronation. 
 
 f Hal, of England, Vol, III,, p. 434, 435. 
 
 E © 3 him 
 
422 Spencer y Duke of Marlborough. 
 
 " him againft it; but with little effeft as was foon feen. 
 <c The party was fo well pleafed with what the King had 
 <c done, that they perfuaded him to mention it in his fpeech 
 4C at the next meeting of the parliament; which he did af- 
 <{ ter many debates whether it was proper or not; in all 
 " which I oppofed it." 
 
 On the 4th of Decmber 1685, the King a in council de- 
 clared the Earl of Sunderland (principal Seetetary of State) Lord 
 Prefident of the council, and his Lordftiip took his place at 
 the board the fame day. By which titles of Lord Prefident 
 of the council, and principal Secretary of State, he b was in 
 1686, in the commiffion of ecclefiaftical affairs. But his 
 Lordfhip in that commiffion, was feldom at their meetings, 
 and did all in his power to foften any rigorous proceedings. 
 He declares in his letter March 23, 1689 c , / can mojl truly 
 fay, and it is well known, thai for a good while I defended Mag- 
 dalen College, purely by care and induftry\ and have hundreds 
 of times begged of the King, never to grant mandates, or to 
 change any thing in the regular courfe of eccleftaflical affairs, 
 which he often thought rea finable; and afterwurds by perpetual 
 importunities, voas prevailed on againfi his own fenfe. Which 
 was the very cafe of Magdalen College ; as alfo of fome others. 
 
 Under fuch a weak and bigotted Prince, breaking in on the 
 eflablifhed religion of the nation, in which he had been 
 educated, it's hardly poffible to conceive the difficulties attend- 
 ing a chief minifter of ftate, defirous of ferving his King and 
 country. And though his Lordftip has been cenfured by fome 
 writers (who not examining into fa£ls, or not impartially con- 
 fidering them) for the part he a£led, whilft our laws and re- 
 ligion were endangered : Yet I think it may juftly be faid, 
 that no perfon in his {ration, could aft with more fincerity, 
 honour and integrity, or with greater abilities. And after 
 the ftri&eft inquifition, none of his enemies could make it 
 appear, that whilft he ferved King James, he ever difcovered 
 or betrayed any of his fecrets, or ever pufhed him on to violent 
 proceedings. On the contrary, hisLordfhip always fuggefted 
 moderate councils to his Majefly ; but even that point has by 
 fome been imputed to him as a crime. 
 
 Bifhop Burnet relates d , " He made the ftep to popery, 
 <c without any previous inftru&ion or conference : fo that the 
 44 change looked too like a man, who having no religion, took 
 <c up one rather to ferve a turn, than that he was truly chang- 
 <c ed from one religion to another. He has been fince ac- 
 ** cufed, as if he had done all this to gain credit, more ef- 
 
 fedually to ruin the King, There was a fufpicion of another 
 
 a Hift. of England, prsed. p. 440. b Ibid, p. 452. c Ibid. p. 50:. 
 
 « fftfl, of his own Time, Vol. II. p. 4^3. 
 
 nature^ 
 
Spencer, Duke of Marlborough. 423 
 
 nature, which ftuck with fome in England, who thought 
 that Mr. Sidney [his mother's brother] who had the fecret 
 <€ of all the correfpondence, between the Prince of Orange, 
 <c and his party in England [in order to his coming over] 
 " being in particular friendfhip with the Earl of Sunderland, 
 " the Earl had got into that fecret : and they fancied he 
 * € would get into the Prince's confidence by Mr. Sidney's 
 46 means. So I was writ to (fays the Bifhop) and defired to 
 cc put it home to the Prince, Whether he was in any confidence, 
 " or correfpondence with the Earl of Sunderland, or Not ? For 
 44 till they were fatlsfied in that matter, they would not go on, 
 * c jince they believed he would betray all, zvhen things were ripe 
 " for it, and that many were engaged in the defign. The 
 <c Prince upon that did fay very pofitively, He was in n& 
 <c fort of correfpondence with him. His councels (fays the 
 * c Bifhop) lay then another way ; and if his fcheme had been. 
 4t followed, the nation might have been fo laid afleep, with 
 4t promifes and a different conduct ; as in a flow method, they 
 4< might have that, they were fo near lofing, by their 
 4C violent proceedings." 
 
 However, notwithstanding what has been faid, it may 
 veryjuftly be imputed to his Lordfhip's temporifing, and his ar- 
 guments with the King, whereby he refufed the French fuc- 
 cours that were offered ; and dilTuading his Majefty from fecur- 
 ing the principal perfons he fufpefted ; That we now injoy the 
 valuable Bleffings of our religion and liberties-, and the happy 
 tflablljhment thereof, in his prefent Majejly, and his Royal 
 Family. 
 
 I Khali now relate, how far his Lordfhip was concerned, 
 whilft he was at the head of affairs. Bifhop Kennet, in 
 his life of James the lid, under the year 1686, recites, " The 
 6C King did not only clofet his judges, and officers, on the quef- 
 " tion of talking of the Penal laws and tejl, but follicited 
 ** his prime minifters to be reconciled to the church of Rome. 
 4C He firft undertook the Earl of Sunderland, who is faid 
 * c to be obfequious to the King's defire, but did not care to 
 
 be formally reconciled (as the term was) to the church of 
 " Rome." What the tenor of the difcourfe the King had 
 with him was never known ; but father Petre is faid to have 
 extremely magnified the Earl's obedience at a meeting with the 
 jefuifts ; telling them, It was neceffary for him, as yet to appear 
 a proteflant, for weighty reafons ofjlate. The King's next 
 folicitation was the Earl of Rochefrer, &c. 
 
 At a chapter of the Garter, held the 26th of April, 1687, 
 his Lordfhip was elecled a Knight Companion of that moft 
 noble Order ; and perfonally inftalled at Windfor the 23d of 
 May following 5 being placed the 20th Knight in fuccefTion, in 
 
 E e 4 tha 
 
'424 Spencer j Duke of Marlborough. 
 
 the 16th ftall in the chapel of St. George at Windfor, wherfc 
 the plate of inftallation is yet remaining, as follows e . 
 
 Du tres noble et puiffant Seigneur, Robert comte de Sunder- 
 land, baron Spencer de Wormleighton, prefident du Confeil du 
 Roy, premier Secretaire de eftat, et chevalier du tres noble 
 ordre de la jartiere, inftalle au chafteau de Windefore le 23 
 jour d' May 1687. 
 
 On the 2d of July the fame year, the King diflblving his 
 parliament, finding they could not be brought to a compliance, 
 in taking ofF the penal laws and tejls f : The Earl of Sunderland 
 gives this account thereof, in his letter of March 23, 1689. 
 
 The great trial was to take off the penal laws^ and thz iejls ; fb 
 * c many having promifed their concurrence towards it, that his 
 
 Majefty thought it feafibie 5 but he foon found it was not to 
 " be done by that parliament, which made all the Catholicks 
 " defire it might be diffolved; which I was fo much againflr, 
 * c that they complained of me to the King, as a man who ruined 
 * c all his defigns, by oppofing the only thing that could carry 
 * c them on. Yet I hindered the diflblution feveral weeks, &c." 
 And as to Ireland, w T hich was then under TyrconnePs violent 
 government, his Lordfhip could not prevent it 5 for in his faid 
 letter, he thus expreffes himfelf g . 
 
 44 Lord Tyrconnel was fo abfolute in Ireland, that I never 
 <c had the credit to make an enfign, or keep one in, nor to 
 * c preferve fome of my friends, for whom I was much con- 
 * c cerned, from the laft oppreffion and injuftice ; but yet 
 * c with care and diligence being upon the place, and he abfent, 
 * c I diverted the calling a parliament there, which was defigned 
 
 to alter the Afls of Settlement. Chief Juftice Nugent, and 
 * c Baron Rice, were fent over with the draught of an Aft for 
 
 that purpofe, and was there furniihed with all the preffing 
 44 arguments that could be thought on to perfuade the King, 
 * c and I was offered forty thoufand pounds for my concurrence: 
 < 4 Which I told to the King, and (hewed him at the fame time, 
 <c the injuftice of what was propofed to him, and the prejudice 
 * 4 it would be to that country ; with fo good fuccefs, as he re- 
 * c folved not to think of it that year, and perhaps never. This 
 cc I was helped in by fome friends ; particularly my Lord Go- 
 * 4 dolphin, who knows it to be true, and fo do the judges be- 
 * c fore named, and feveral others." His Lordfhip alfo, did not 
 ^dvife the reading of the King's declaration in the churches of 
 his difpenfwg power, for refuling of which the feveral Bifhops 
 were tried ; whereof he gives this account. 
 
 4C In the midft of preparations for a new parliament, and 
 f 4 whilfl: the corporations were regulating, the King thought 
 
 c Pote's Hift. and Antiq, of Windfor, p. 302. * liift. of England, p. 495, 
 
 I Ibid. p. 400. 
 
 1 < { fit 
 
Spencer, Duke of Marlborough. 425 
 
 €c fit to order his declarations to be read in all churches; of 
 64 which I moft folemnly proteft, I never heard one word till 
 44 the King dire&ed it in council." And giving an account 
 of what drew on the petition of the Archbimop of Canterbury, 
 and the other Lords the Bifliops, and their profecution, his Lord- 
 fhip fays, 44 That he was fo openly againft it, that by arguing 
 44 continually to mew the injuftice and imprudence of it, I 
 44 brought the fury of the Roman Catholicks upon me to fuch 
 * c a degree, that I was juft finking, and I wifli I had then funk : 
 44 But whatever I did foolifhly to preferve myfelf, I continued 
 44 ftill to be the objedt of their hatred ; and I refolved to ferve 
 44 the publick as well as I could : Which I am fure moft of the 
 4C considerable proteftants then at Court can teftify." 
 
 Dr. Sprat Bifliop of Rochefter, in his fecond letter to the 
 Earl of Dorfet, Lord Chamberlain to King William, to 
 excufe his conduit, in a£ling in the Ecckfiajiical Commijjion^ 
 &c. has rightly obferved of King James's reign h . 44 1 will 
 44 take the freedom to fay, that I make no queftion, but 
 44 divers good men, who were then in employments, did in 
 44 prudence fubmit to fome things, in order to hinder worie. 
 44 I doubt not but many a£ted then, not to increafe, but to 
 44 mitigate the violence of thofe times. Some of them were in 
 44 fuch ftations, which perhaps was well done of them, not 
 <4 fuddenly to defert, left worfe men mould come in, to do that 
 44 which they defigned to prevent. I believe fome being as it 
 44 were, in the middle of the ftream, when the tide turned fo 
 4,4 violently againft our eftablifhed church and laws, were driven 
 44 down lower than they expedted, before they could refift the 
 44 current, or get to more." This without doubt, was meant 
 of Lord Sunderland, and is applicable to his Lordfhip's faying, 
 / refolved to ferve the bf$licjk as well as I could* 
 
 When the Frenchjra'dvettifed King James of the Prince of 
 Orange's intended decent in England, and offered the affiftance 
 of his forces, his Lordfhip advifed the King not to accept of 
 them. And on that event, Bifliop Burnet 1 has given this ac- 
 count, 44 The King of France, when he gave advertifements 
 44 of the preparations in Holland, offered King James fuch a 
 44 force as he mould call for ; twelve or fifteen thoufand were 
 44 named, or as many more as he mould defire. It was pro- 
 44 pofed they mould land at Portfmouth, and mould have that 
 44 place to keep the communication with France open, and in 
 44 their hands. All the priefts were for this, and moft of the 
 44 Popifh Lords. The Earl of Sunderland was the only man in 
 44 credit that oppofed it. He faid the offer of an army of 40,000 
 44 men might be a real ftrength. But then it would depend on 
 
 h Vide his Letters, p. 31, \ fiift, of his own Time, S°. Vol.11. 
 
 * the 
 
42 6 Spencer, Duke of Marlborough. 
 
 <c the orders that came from France. They might perhaps [with 
 " other fuccours] matter England : But they would become the 
 4C King's mafters at the fame time : So that he muft govern 
 <c under fuch orders as they (hould give: And thus he would 
 M quickly become only a Viceroy to the King of France. Any 
 " army lefs than that would lofe his Majefty the affections of 
 * c his people, and drive his own army to defertion, if not to 
 " mutiny." The Earl of Sunderland in his own vindication, 
 fays, " French fhips were offered to join with our fleet, and 
 ** they were refufed. Since the noife of the Prince's defign, 
 " more fhips were offered, and it was agreed how they fhould 
 e < be commanded, if ever defired. I oppofed to death the ac~ 
 44 cepting of them, as well as any aftiftance of men : And can 
 " fay moft truly, that I was the principal means of hindering 
 6C both, by the help of fome Lords, with whom I confulted 
 " every day, and they with me ; to prevent what we thought 
 <c would be of great prejudice, if not ruinous to the nation?' 
 
 When King James was convinced of the intended invafion 
 of the Prince of Orange, he began to think of reconciling the 
 hearts of his people to him. And to that purpofe, declared in 
 council Auguft 24, 1688, that a parliament fnould meet the 
 27th of November. And to reconcile the ArchbiChop of Can- 
 terbury, and other Biftiops to the King, his Lordfhip wrote the 
 following letter to the Archbiftiop of k Canterbury. 
 
 1 My Lord, 
 
 <c The King thinking it requifite to fpeak with your Grace, 
 c< and feveral others of the Biftiops, who are within a conve- 
 <c nient diftance of this place ; his Majefty commands me to 
 <c acquaint you, that he -would have you attend him upon 
 
 Friday next, at ten in the morning. 
 
 My Lord, 
 
 Whitehall, Sept. 24, 1688. I a m your moft faithful, &c. 
 
 Sunderland P. 
 
 And to give fatisfa£tion to the nation, this was publiftied in 
 the Gazette, Whitehall, Sept. 30, " Several of my Lords the 
 * c Biftiops having attended the King on Friday laft, his Majefty 
 <c was pleafed among other gracious expreffions, to let them 
 " know, That he would fignify his pie a fur e for taking off the 
 |c fufpenfion of the Lord Bi/hop of London, which is done accord- 
 <c ingly" Lord Sunderland, in his Letter, gives the following 
 account of that and other falutary meafures from his Lordfhip's 
 advice. " Upon the firft thought of the Prince of Orange's 
 f « coming, I laid hold of the opportunity to prefs the King to 
 
 k Hift. of England, p. 519, J Bifhop of Rocheftefs Letters to the Earl of 
 
 Dcrfet. p. 21. 
 
 « do 
 
Spencer, Duke of Marlborough. 427 
 
 cs do feveral things, which I would have had done fooner ; the 
 44 chief of which were, To reftore Magdalen College, and all 
 44 other Ecclefiaftical Preferments, that had been diverted from 
 " what they were intended for : To take off my Lord Bifhop of 
 " London's fufpenfion : To put the counties into the fame 
 tc hands they were in fome time before : To annul the Eccle- 
 <c fiajlical Court : And to reftore entirely, all the corporations 
 <c of England. Thefe things were done effectually, by the 
 66 help of fome about the King ; and it was then thought I had 
 <c deftroyed myfeif, by enraging again the whole Roman Ca- 
 tc tholick party to fuch a height as had not been feen : They 
 <c difperfed libels of me every day ; told the King that I be- 
 " trayed him ; that I ruined him, by perfuading him to make 
 " fuch (hameful condefcenfions : But moft of all, by hindring 
 <c the fe curing the chief of the difaffecled Nobility and Gentry, 
 6C which was propofed as a certain way to break all the Prince's 
 4C mea fares : And by advifeng his Majejiy to call a free parliament y 
 ** and to depend upon that, rather than upon foreign ajfiflance. 
 
 Bifhop Burnet n agrees in the fame relation. " In Eng- 
 " land, the Court faw now, it was in vain to diffemble, or 
 " difguife their fears any more. The Earl of Melfort, and all 
 cc the papifts, propofed the feizing on all fufpected perfons, 
 6C and fending them to Porifmouth. The Earl Sunderland 
 <c oppofed this vehemently. He faid, It would not be poffble to 
 <c feize on many at the fame time ; and the feizing on a few 
 44 would alarm all the rejl : It would drive them in to the Prince, 
 ci and furnijh them with a pretence for it: He propofed rather 
 cc that the King zvould do fuch popular things, as might give 
 " fome content, and lay that fermentation, with which the na- 
 " tion was then diftra&ed : This was at that time complied 
 4C with : But all the popifh party continued upon this to charge 
 4C Lord Sunderland as one in the King's councils, only to 
 " betray them ; that had before diverted the offer of affiftance 
 <c from France, and now the fecuring thofe, who were moft likely 
 £C to join and affift the Prince of Orange. By their importunities, 
 " the King was at laft prevailed on, that he turned him out of 
 cc all his places." His Lordfhip clofes his letter in his own vin~ 
 dication, whilft he was employed under King James, as follows. 
 
 " At laft accufations of high treafon were brought againft 
 <c me, which with fome other reafons relating to affairs abroad, 
 <c drew the King's difpleafure upon me ; fo as to turn me out 
 " of all without any confideration : And yet I thought I efcap- 
 <c ed well, expecting nothing lefs than the lofs of my head ; 
 44 as Lord Middleton can tell, and I believe none about the 
 " Court thought otherwife : Nor had it been otherwife, if 
 
 my difgrace had been deferred a day longer, all things be- 
 ^ jfift, of England, j\ 526, 0 Hill, of his own Time, p, 522. 
 
428 Spencer \ Duke of Marlborough. 
 
 <; ing prepared for it, I was put out the 27th of Oclober 1 
 44 the Roman catholicks having been two months working up 
 <c the King to it, without intermiffion, befides the feveral at- 
 <c tacks they had made on me before; and the unufual affiftance, 
 " they obtained to do what they thought neceffary for the 
 <c carrying on their affairs ; of which they never had greater 
 <c hope than at that time, as may be remembered by any who 
 4C were then in London, &c." And the next day the King con- 
 ferred his place on Lord Vifcount Prefton, which was publifh- 
 *cd in the Gazette 0 as follows. 
 
 46 Whitehall, October 28, 1688. His Majefty has been pleaf- 
 <c ed to conftitute the right honorable the Lord Vifcount Preft- 
 <c on, one of his principal Secretaries of State, upon the re- 
 <c moval of the right honorable the Earl of Sunderland from 
 " that office/ * 
 
 There's not an inftance in hiftory, of a Chief Minijler^ that 
 had more difficulties to ftruggle with than has been mentioned of 
 the noble Earl I am treating on. But he had a clear and ready ap- 
 prehenfion, and a fuperior genius to all of his time, with an un- 
 ufual dexterity, which fupported him, and carried him through 
 all oppofitions, till he chofe retirement from publick bufinefs. 
 
 Immediately after his Lordfhip's difmiffion from King 
 James's fervice, he thought the fituation he was in requir- 
 ed his withdrawing out of the kingdom for his own fafety ; 
 fo that about the time of the landing of the Prince of Orange 
 in England, his Lordfhip landed in Holland ; where he wrote 
 the letter I have fo often quoted, difcovering the defigns of 
 the rornifh party, and others, for the fubverting of the proteftant 
 religion, and the laws of the kingdom, licenfed March 23, 
 1689. And there he relided till after the fettlement of the 
 crown on King William and Queen Mary; but fo prejudiced 
 were many againfl: his Lordfhip, that he was p excepted out of 
 the Att of Indemnity and Free Pardon^ which King William 
 figned May 23, 1690. And in 1692, when King James 
 formed a fcheme for a defcent into England, and was come to 
 La Hogue to embarque, he fent over a formal declaration % 
 wherein he excepted out of his offer of pardon, the Earl of 
 Sunderland, with other noblemen, that were then in the true 
 interefts of the nation. 
 
 However, about that time, King William, who knew the 
 great abilities of the Earl of Sunderland, confulted with him 
 on the meafures neceffary to be taken in his government. And 
 before his Majefty went abroad in the beginning of the year 
 1693, having made fome alterations in his offices, by giving 
 the great feal to Sir John Sommers, making Sir John Trenchard 
 
 0 Gazette, N°. 2394. p Biiftop Kennet's Ufe of King William in HilK 
 
 $f England, Vol. j>. 5.57, * ibid, p 630. 
 
 Secretary 
 
Spencer, Duke of Marlborough. 429 
 
 Secretary of State, and Mr. Montague (after Earl of Halifax) 
 Chancellor of the Exchequer ; it's afcribed by Bifhop Burnet % 
 To the great credit the Earl of Sunderland had gained with 
 the King, who had new got into his confidence, and declared open- 
 ly for the Whigs. Thefe advancements (fays the Bifhop) had a 
 great effefl on the whole party ; and brought them to a much better* 
 opinion of the King. But as the employing of them had a very good 
 effcel in the King's affairs, fo a party came to be formed, that 
 Jludied to crofs and defeat every thing; laid by Seymour and 
 Mufgrave. 
 
 And when the King returned to England in November 
 following, the Bifhop further relates % " that he faw the ne- 
 * 4 ceffity of changing both his meafures and his miniftry; he 
 <c exprefled his dillike of the whole condu£t of the fea, and 
 << named Ruflel for the command of the fleet next year. He 
 <c difmifled the Earl of Nottingham and brought the Earl of 
 cC Shrewfbury again into the miniftry, making him Secretary of 
 <c State, to the general fatisfa&ion of the Whigs. But the perfon, 
 cC that had the King's confidence to the higheft degree, was 
 c< the Earl of Sunderland, who by his long experience, and 
 <c his knowledge of men and things had gained an afcendant 
 " over him, and had more credit with him, than any Englifli 
 <c man ever had. He had brought the King to his change of 
 <c councils, by the profpe£l he gave him of the ill condition 
 <c his affairs were in, if he did not entirely both truft and 
 <c fatisfy thofe, who in the prefent conjuncture, were the only 
 <c party, that both could and would fupport him. It was faid, that 
 * c the true fecret of this change of meafures was, that the 
 " Tories fignified to the King plainly, that they could carry 
 c< on the war no longer, and that he muft accept of fuch a 
 <c peace as could be had. This was the rnoft pernicious thing 
 M that could be thought on, and moft contrary to the King's 
 <c notions and defigns fo the Whigs were now in favour again, 
 " and every thing was done to put them in good humour." 
 
 In 1695, the King made a progrefs into the north, and fiaid 
 fome days with the Earl of Sunderland at Althrop, which was 
 (fays Bifhop Burnet l ) the firft publick mark of the high favour 
 he was in. It was inferted in the Gazette No 3128, that his 
 Majefty at Althrop on the 23 of O&ober, conferred the hon- 
 our of knighthood on John Combs Efquier his chief juftice of 
 Chefter and that he came to Lincoln Oftober 30th. The 
 Bifhop afterwards gives fome account of his Lordmip's endea- 
 vors for reconciling the Whigs and Tories in fupport of his 
 Majefty 's government ; but they proved ineffectual on a dif- 
 ference between Queen Mary, and her fifter the Princefs 
 
 1 Hift. of his own Time, Vol. III. p. 14%, 149. r Ibid. p. 170, 171. 
 
 * Ibid, p. 227. 
 
 Anne 
 
43° Spencer \ Duke of Marlborough. 
 
 Anne of Denmark. The Dutchefs of Marlborough gives th& 
 following account of his Lordfhip's intereft with~King Wil- 
 liam, and of his good difpofition to the Princefs. " On u 
 " the death of the Queen, the Princefs, by advice of Lord 
 " Sunderland, wrote a letter to the King, exprejfing her great 
 <c affliction in the lofs of the ^ueen, &c, and her earnejl deftre 
 <c to wait upon his Majejiy &c. Quickly w after this letter, 
 " the Princefs with the King's confent, and at a time when he 
 u appointed, waited on him at Kenfington, and was received 
 " with extraordinary civility. The perfon who wholly manag- 
 <c ed the affair between the King and Princefs, was my Lord 
 <c Sunderland. He had upon all occafions relating to her 
 <c fhewed himfelf a man of fenfe and breeding ; and before 
 iC there was any thought of the Queen's dying, had defigned 
 4C to ufe his utmoft endeavours to make up the breach; in 
 tc which however I am perfuaded, he could not have fucceed- 
 <c ed during the Queen's life. Her death made it eafy to him 
 <c to bring the King to a reconcilement ; and he alfo perfuad- 
 " ed his Majefty to give the Princefs St. James's houfe. And 
 <c fome other favours were granted to her Royal Highnefs, 
 " at his Lordfhip's requeft \ When the Duke of Gloucefter 
 " was arrived at the age to be put into mens hands, and his 
 «< Highnefs's family was fettled. The King (influenced in this 
 <c particular by my Lord Sunderland) fent the Princefs word, 
 <c that though he intended to put in all the preceptors, he 
 <c would leave it to her, to chufe the reft of the fervants ; 
 <c except one, who was to be Deputy Governor, and Gentle- 
 " man of the Duke's Bed-chamber. This meffage was fo 
 w humane, and of fo different an air from any thing the 
 " Princefs had been ufed to, that it gave her an extream plea- 
 " fure." 
 
 In 1697, the King more publickly expreffed his favour to 
 his Lord/hip, which was inferted in the Gazette, N° 3281, 
 as follows, " Whitehall, April 19, the right honourable the 
 " Earl of Dorfet and Middlefex having refigned into his 
 " Majefty's hands, the office of Lord Chamberlain of his 
 44 houfhold, his Majefty has conferred the fame upon the right 
 44 honourable the Earl of Sunderland, to whom he was pleaf- 
 " ed to deliver the white ftafF this morning." 
 
 And three days after his Lordfhip was fworn at Kenfington of 
 the privy council, and took his place at the board accordingly y . 
 Alfo the fame day, his Majefty in council at Kenfington, de- 
 clared his Lordfhip one of the Lords Juftices of England for 
 the adminiftration of the government during his abfence. And 
 on the 4th of June following his Lordfhip as Lord Chamberlain, 
 
 u The Conduft of the Dowager Dutchefs of Marlborough, p. 108. w Ibid, 
 
 p. no, in, x Ibid, p. n6, 117. * Gazette, No. 3Z82. 
 
 fent 
 
Spencer, Duke of Marlborough. 432 
 
 fent an, order to prevent the prophanenefs, and immorality of 
 the ftage. 
 
 In that year, a treaty of peace was in agitation, the war 
 growing unacceptable to the nation ; and whilft the King was 
 at the head of his army, Marfhal Bouffier's defiring to confer 
 with the Earl of Portland, he had his Majefty's orders to meet 
 him z . And in three conferences on the 10th, 15th, and 20th 
 of September, preliminaries were fettled for a general peace; 
 which was after concluded at Refwick. The terms of it were 
 too much to the advantage of France, but the length and charge 
 of the war, had fo exhaufted the allies, as well as England, 
 that the King was defirous of accepting the beft conditions he 
 could get, for the fatisfying of his people : And there was not 
 one of the allies, who complained of being forgot by him, or 
 wronged in the treaty. 
 
 On the 3d of December the parliament met, when his 
 Majefty in his fpeech faid a , " The circumftances of affairs 
 46 abroad are fuch, that I think my felf obliged to tell you 
 4C my opinion, that for the prefent England cannot be fafe 
 64 without a land force ; and I hope we (hall not give thofe 
 44 who mean us ill, opportunity of effecting that, under the 
 4€ notion of a peace, which they could not bring to pafs by a 
 44 war." 
 
 The major part of the Houfe of Commons, were jealous of 
 a {landing army (as it was called) and difliked the King's of- 
 fering his opinion in the point. The managers for the court 
 in the Houfe of Commons, had no orders (fays Biftiop Burnet b ) 
 to name any number of men to be kept up, fo they came to 
 a refolution of difbanding all the forces raifed fince 1680, 
 which reduced them to 7000 men to be kept in pay in England. 
 4t The court was ftruck with this, and then tried to raife the 
 44 number to 15000 horfe and foot. If this had been propof- 
 
 ed in time, it would probably have been carried ; but the 
 4C King was fo long on the referve, that when he thought 
 <c fit to fpeak out his mind, he found it was too late. This 
 4C gave the King the greateft diftafte of any thing that had 
 44 befallen him in his whole reign. During thefe debates c , the 
 4C Earl of Sunderland had argued with many on the neceffity 
 44 of keeping a greater force ; and he was charged (fays the 
 44 Bifliop) as the author of the council of keeping on foot a 
 4C {landing army, fo he was often named in the Houfe of Com- 
 " mons with feveral reflections. The Tories prefled hard upon 
 u him, and the IVhigs were fo jealous of him, that he appre- 
 4C hending, that while the former would attack him, the others 
 44 would defend him faintly, refolved to prevent a publick af- 
 
 85 Gazette, No. 3306. a Hi ft. of England, Vol. III. p. 740. b Hift. 
 
 «f his own Time, 8°. Vol, II. p. 285. c Ibid. p. 2S6, 
 
 44 front, 
 
432 Spencer , Duke of MarlborougK 
 
 <c front, and to retire from the Court, and from bufinefs : Not 
 <c only againft the intreaties of his friends, but even the King's? 
 <c earneft defire that he would continue about him. Indeed 
 cc (fays the Bifhop) upon this occafion his Majefty exprefled 
 <c fuch a concern and value for him, that the jealoufies were 
 * c encreafed by the confidence the Court faw the King had in 
 <c him. During the time of his credit, things had been carried 
 " on with more fpirit and better fuccefs than before : He had 
 xc gained fuch an afcendant over the King, that he brought 
 " him to agree to fome things, that few expected he would have 
 <c yielded to : He managed the publick affairs, in both Houfes, 
 " with fo much fteadinefs, and fo good a conduct, that he had 
 " procured to himfelf a greater meafure of efteem, than he 
 46 had in any of the former parts of his life : And the feeble- 
 *' nefs, and disjointed ftate we fell into after he withdrew, con- 
 cc tributed not a little to eftablifh the character, which his ad- 
 cc miniftration had gained him." 
 
 Neither the Bifhop, or our Hiftorians, mention the time of 
 his Lordfhip's refignation, but the Gazette d gives the following 
 account of it, " Kenfington, December 26, (1697.) The 
 <c Right Honourable the Earl of Sunderland having defired his 
 f e Majefty's leave to refign the office of Lord Chamberlain of 
 M his Houfhold ; his Lordfhip accordingly delivered up the 
 iC white ftaff this evening." 
 
 King William was fo diflatisfied with the difbanding of the 
 forces, that on the ift of February following, when he pafied 
 the bill, he made a memorable fpeech, publifhed only in the 
 Gazette % our Hiftorians having omitted it; and being fhort 
 I infert it* 
 
 My Lords and Gentlemen, 
 
 M I came to pafs the bill for difbanding the army, as foon as 
 u I underftood it was ready for me. Though in our prefent 
 <c circumftances there appea/s great hazard in breaking fuch a 
 <c number of the troops > and though I might think myfelf un- 
 " kindly ufed, that thofe guards, who came over with me to 
 <c your affiftance, and have conftantly attended me in all the 
 <c actions wherein I have been engaged, fhould be removed 
 cc from me : Yet it is my fixed opinion, that nothing can be fo 
 4C fatal to us, as that any diftruft or jealoufy fliould arife be- 
 cc tween me, and my people, which I muft own would have 
 <c been very unexpected after what I have undertaken, ventured, 
 u and acted, for the reftoring and fecuring of their liberties. 
 
 " I have thus plainly told you the only reafon, which has in- 
 " duced me to pafs this bill : And now I think myfelf obliged, 
 
 in difcharge of the truft repofed in me, and for my own 
 d Gazette, No. 3353. € Ibid. No. 3467. 
 
 <c juftifica- 
 
/ 
 
 , > J0mJ /F^ 
 
Spencer y Duke of Marlborough. 433 
 
 c€ juftification, that no ill confequences may lie at my door, to 
 c< tell you as plainly my judgment, that the nation is left too 
 4C much expofed." 
 
 This fpeech did varioufly affefl- the Commons, who returned 
 * no addrefs of thanks ; but it was not advifed by the Earl of 
 Sunderland ; for his Lordfliip after his refignation, went dire&ly 
 to his feat at Althrop, and there lived in an exemplary way the 
 remainder of his Life, without coming to council, or troubling 
 himfelf with publick affairs. His Lordfliip married the Lady 
 Anne Di^by, fecond and youngejt daughter to f George Earl of 
 Briftol, Knight of the Garter,jSy Anne his wife, daughter of 
 Francis Ruflel, Earl of Bedford^ and lifter, and at length heir 
 to John Digby, Earl of Briftol, who died in 1698, without 
 iflue. She was a Lady diftinguiftied for her refined fenfe, fubtile 
 wit, admirable addrefs, and every fhining quality. His Lord- 
 fliip had iflue by her, three fons, and four daughters. 
 
 1. Robert Lord Spencer, born in 1664, who was in Auguffc 
 1687 g , fent to Italy, Envoy Extraordinary to his Highnefs the 
 Duke of Modena, to make the compliments of condolance in 
 their Majefties names, on the death of the Duchefs of Modena, 
 the Queen's mother: And on his return h , died at Paris in 
 France , the 5th of September, 1688. 
 
 2. Charles, Earl of Sunderland \ 3. Henry, who died with- 
 in an hour after he was baptifed. 
 
 Lady Anne, eldeft daughter, born 24 June, 1666, at Chif- 
 wick, who was the firft wife of James, Earl of Arran, of the 
 Kingdom of Scotland, after Duke Hamilton, and Duke of Bran- 
 don \ and died in 1690. 
 
 Lady Elizabeth, married 1 30 October, 1684, to Donagh 
 Maccarty, Earl of Clincarty, of the Kingdom of Ireland. 
 
 Lady Ifabella, who died unmarried, in 1684; and Lady 
 Mary, who died aged 5 years. 
 
 His Lordfliip departed this life at his feat at Althrop, the 28th 
 of September, 1702% and on the 7th of Oftober following, 
 was buried with his anceftors at Brinton ; leaving his Lady 
 furviving, who died on the 16th of April, 1715, 1 and on the 
 26th of the fame month was buried by him. He w r as fuc- 
 ceeded in honour and eftate by Charles his only fon and 
 heir. 
 
 Which Charles Earl of Sunderland, had his education un- 
 der the learned Dr. Trimnel, who was Bifliop of Winchefter ; 
 and his Lordfliip, as foon as he came of age, was chofen w for 
 two feveral boroughs, Heydon in Yorkfliire, and Taviftock 
 in Com. Devon, in that parliament called in the 7th year of 
 
 f Ex Stemmat. de Famil. Digby. & Hift. of England, Vol. III. p. 496. 
 
 * ExColle£t. T. Miller, MS. penes meipf. 1 Ibid. * k Ex Regift. Ecclef. 
 <te Brinton. 1 Ibid. m Willis's Notitia, Pari. Vol. II. p. 386. 
 
 Vol. L F f King 
 
4-34 Spencer, Duke of Marlborough. 
 
 King William. Alfo conftantly ele£ted for Tiverton, iafivc fe- 
 v^ral parliaments, whilft he was a commoner. 
 
 On Saturday, the 12th of June 1694-5 his Lordfliip married 
 the .Lady Arabella Cavendifh, youngeft daughter and co-heir of 
 his~ Grace Henry Duke of Newcaftle % Her Ladyfhip was 
 born the 19th of Auguft 1673, and died on Saturday the 
 4th of June 1698, leaving iflue by her Lord, an only daughter 
 the Lady Frances Spencer, married on the 27th of November 
 1717, to Henry Lord Morpeth, fori and heir to Charles Earl: 
 of Carlifle, by whom (lie had ilTue the prefent Earl of Carlifle. 
 
 On Tuefday the 16th of January 1699 °, his Lordfliip took 
 to his fecond wife, the Lady Anne Churchill, fecond daughter 
 and one of the co-heirs, of that victorious General, John 
 Duke of Marlborough, and of great beauty and merit. 
 
 In 1702, He fucceeded his father, in his honours and eftate y 
 whereby he became more confpicuous; and being fon-in-law 
 to the Duke of Marlborough, and fo nearly allied to the Earl 
 of Godolphin Lord High Treafurer, he was in much efteem 
 with their friends. 
 
 In the beginning of the year 1705 his Lordfliip attended 
 on Queen Anne, and her Royal Confort the Prince of Den- 
 mark, to Newmarket. And her Majefty with the Prince, 
 appointing the 16th of April for vifiting the Univerfity of 
 Cambridge, the Earl of Sunderland, with fever al other noble^ 
 men then prefent, had the degree of Doflors in law conferred 
 on them. 
 
 On the 26th of June the fame year I his Lordfliip embarked 
 at Greenwich for Holland, being appointed her Majefty's 
 I^nvoy Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary, to make the com- 
 pliments of condolence on the death of the Emperor Leopold, 
 as alfo of congratulation to his fucceflbr the Emperot Jofeph : 
 And to "endeavour by the Queen's mediation to compofe the 
 differences, between his Imperial Majefty, and his fubjeds in 
 Hungary. 
 
 His Lordfliip, after taking a view of the army, and confer- 
 ing with the Duke of Marlborough *, arrived at Vienna the 
 26th of Auguft N, S. And when the compliments of con- 
 dplance and congratulation were over, his Lordfliip with the 
 Dutch plenipotentiaries had conferences- with the Imperial 
 Minifters, and the Hungarian Deputies, to remove feveral dif- 
 ficulties that retarded the negotiation of peace between them, 
 till the 26th of Odtober, when they fet out for Tyrnau, 
 the place appointed for the treaty; they intended to have been- 
 there the next day, but did not arrive till the 28th, being re- 
 
 n H'ifi. Collefl:. of the Fam. of Cavendi/h, Szc p. 4-. » MS, Ex Collet:.. 
 
 T. Miller. p Annals of Queen Anue, year -^th/p 12*- q Ibid. p. 4?h 
 
 r Annals praed, p. 94.V ' H 
 
 tarded 
 
Spencer, Duke of Marlborough. 43 £ 
 
 tarded by the numerous guard, the Hungarians fent to attend 
 them s ; they were received there with all the demon ftrations 
 of joy, and marks of refpeft, by Count Berezini, and the 
 chief of the Hungarians. The Imperial court had appointed 
 Prefburgh for the place of treaty, and with difficulty they 
 brought both parties to agree, that the Imperial commiffioners 
 fhould continue a,t Prefburgh, and the Hungarians at Tyrnau. a 
 and that a place within an equal diftance of thofe towns, 
 fliould be for their meeting together. After feveral confe- 
 rences, his Lordfhip, with Mr. Stepney the Britifh Envoy, fet 
 out from Tyrnau the fecond of November for Prefburgh, 
 tvhere the next day they conferred with the Imperial commiC- 
 fioners, on a propofal for a ceflation of arms ; and two days after, 
 his Lordfhip fet out with Mr. Stepney for Vienna, to attend 
 the Duke of Marlborough's arrival, leaving the Dutch minif- 
 ters to carry on the mediation. His Grace came to Vienna 
 the 1 2th of November; and 1 on the 19th the Earl of Sunder- 
 land had his audiences of leave of the Emperor and Emprefs; 
 alfo the next day of the Emprefs Dowager, and the Arch^ 
 DuchefTes. His Imperial Majefty preferred his Lordfhip with his 
 pi&ure fet with diamonds; and the Duke. of Marlborough at 
 that time had a grant . from the Emperor, of the Lordfhip of 
 Mindelheim in Swabia, which was ere&ed into a Principality. 
 
 On the 23d of November, his Grace accompanied by the 
 Earl of Sunderland? left Vienna, proceeding to the Court of 
 Berlin. His Imperial Majefty bad ordered feveral of his officers 
 to ride before them to provide horfes 5 and. to take care that 
 nothing might retard their journey, whereby they travelled 
 with the greajeft fpeed, notwithstanding the feafon of the 
 year u . The firft day they came to Selowitz, a caftle 73 miles 
 from Vienna, where- Count Zinzendorf the owner, who ac- 
 companied them that day's journey, treated his Grace and ,his 
 Lordfhip, with great magnificence,- The 24th they travelled 63 
 miles, dining at Wifhaw^ 'belonging to the Bifhop of Olmutz, 
 and Ofnabrugh, brother to the Duke of Lorrain ; and the 
 fame night came to Olmutz, where they lay in a noble palace 
 of that Prince, and were entertained by his officers. The 
 25th they travelled 66 miles, and lay at Newftaddle. The 
 26th they travelled 78 miles, and lay at Breflau, the capital 
 city of Silefia, being treated by Col. Schmettau, who came 
 from Vienna, on purpofe to entertain them, by order of the 
 Emperor. The magiftrates came in their formalities to com- 
 plement them, and made them the ufual prefents of wine &c. ' 
 The 27th they travelled 62 miles and lay at Luben ; and 
 the next day proceeded on their journey 68 miles, and lay at 
 
 9 Annals, praed. p. 96, 97. • £ Ibid. p. 9S. * Ibid, p. 101, 102, 
 
 F f 2 Granberg ; 
 
43 6 Spencer, Duke of Marlborough. 
 
 Granberg ; the laft place in the Imperial territories. The Of- 
 ficers of the Emperor were ordered to take their leave there ; 
 but his Grace and his Lordfhip, defired they would accompany 
 them to Creffen, the next ftage, from whence they were dif- 
 mifled with handfome prefents. They arrived the 29th at 
 Creffen, the firft town in the King of Pruffia's dominions ; 
 where they were complimented by the magiftrates and lay 
 that night at Frankfort, on the river Oder, 62 miles from 
 Granberg. From thence they travelled 60 miles, and arrived at 
 Berlin in good health; notwithstanding the fatigue of a journey 
 of 532 miles in eight days, in a very hard feafon. The Duke 
 went the fame night to Court, and had a conference with 
 the King of Pruffia. The next day he prefented the Earl of 
 Sunderland to his Majefty, the Prince Royal, and the King's 
 two brothers, who received his Lordfliip with all imaginable 
 marks of efteem. They afterwards fupped with his Majefty, 
 the Prince Royal, and the King's brothers. Alfo dined with 
 them the next day at the great chamberlain's. His Grace renew- 
 ed the treaty, for 8000 men to be employed in Italy ; and ad- 
 jufting feme difficulties fet out with the Earl of Sunderland 
 from Berlin, the 3d of December N. S. in the evening. The 
 King of Pruffia prefented his Grace with a fword, enriched 
 with diamonds; and the Earl of Sunderland, with a diamond 
 ring of great value. 
 
 The 6th of the fame month they arrived at Hanover ; and 
 waited the fame evening on his Ele&oral Highnefs (our late 
 moft gracious Sovereign) the Ele£lrefs Dowager, &c ; and were 
 received with the marks of diftin£lion, due to their quality^ 
 and extraordinary merits. They prefented his Grace with a 
 fine calafh, and fix horfes ; and the Earl of Sunderland with 
 a fet of horfes. 
 
 The 9th of December they fet out early from Hanover, and 
 arrived at the Hague the 14th; and after his Grace had fettled 
 feveral important affairs with the States General he embarked x 
 with the Earl of Sunderland at the Brill, the 27th of Decem- 
 ber ; and the next morning early, failed from thence, under 
 convoy of a fquadron of her Majesty's fhips, and arrived at St, 
 James's the 30th at night about eleven o' clock. His Grace, 
 on the meeting of the parliament, had the thanks of both 
 houfes, For his great Jervices in the laft campaign, and for his 
 prudent negotiations with her Majejlfs allies. 
 
 The campaign that year was attended with various fortune; 
 the brave Prince Eugene with an army, almoft wholly unpro- 
 vided of cloaths, arms, ammunition, or provilions, had kept the 
 French army under the Duke of Vendofme, from compaffing 
 their great defigns. Therefore the Duke of Marlborough, and 
 K Annals, ut antea, p. 216* 
 
 the 
 
Spencer y Duke of Marlborough. 437 
 
 the Earl of Sunderland, when at Vienna, being fenfible of his 
 fervices and wants, had convinced his Imperial Majefty, of the 
 neceflity of fupplying him with forces and money. So that on 
 their return, his Imperial Majefty's Minifters in England, pre- 
 fented a memorial to the Queen, defiring a loan of 250000 1. 
 fterling, for fupply of the army in Italy, on fecurity of all his 
 lands, rents and revenues whatfoever, within the province of 
 Silefia ; as alfo the fecurity of the flates of that province : 
 Whereupon her Majefty by her Letters Patents, bearing date 
 the 26th of February, in the 4th year of her reign recom- 
 mended to her loving fubjecls, the fpeedy making of the faid 
 loan, as a matter acceptable, &c. and of the greateft advantage 
 to the affairs of the war in general. Accordingly books being 
 opened at Mercer's Chapel, on the 7th of March, for taking 
 fubfcriptions towards lending the faid 250000 1. at 8 per Cent, 
 purfuant to the faid Letters Patents, his Royal Highnefs Prince 
 George, fent his fubfcription of 20000 1. the Duke of Marlbo- 
 rough, 10000 1. the Earl of Godolphin Lord High Treafurer, 
 5000 K the Earl of Sunderland, 2500 1. &c. whereby in five 
 days, the whole fubfcription w T as fully compleated. 
 
 The next year, April 10, his Lordfliip z was appointed one 
 of the Englifli Commiffioners, for treating on a union with 
 Scotland : Who on their meeting, agreed to appoint a com- 
 mittee of eleven on each fide, and of them ? , any fix to have 
 power to adjuft the feveral points in debate; and his Lordfliip 
 on a meeting the firft of May, of the Englifli Commiffioners a , 
 was nominated one of the committee of eleven before-mentioned, 
 with power to adjourn themfelves. Alfo b fet his hand and feal 
 to the articles agreed on by the commiffioners of both King- 
 doms, for the Union, the 22d of July 1706. The fame year 
 December 3, his Lordfliip c was fworn of her Majefty's moft 
 honourable Privy Council, and one of her principal Secretaries 
 of State, in the room of Sir Charles Hedges. Whilft he con- 
 tinued in that important truft, he difcharged it w 7 ith great fuf- 
 ficiency ; and on all occafions exerted himfelf in maintaining 
 the honour and interefts of the nation* both in his ftation, and 
 in parliament. 
 
 In 1708, a new Privy Council being fettled, according to 
 an act on the Union of the two Kingdoms, his Lordfliip d , 
 May 10, was fworn thereof. And in 1709, the affair of Dr. 
 Sacheverel, engaging the attention of the nation; he was e one 
 of the fixty-nine Peers, that pronounced him guilty of the im- 
 peachment, brought by the Houfe of Commons. 
 
 y Annate, Ibid. p. 126, 127. 2 Annals, year 5th, p. 12. « Ibid, 
 
 p, 20. b Appendix in Annals, year 5th, n. 25. c Annals^ p, AQti 
 
 d Pointer's Chroa, Hift. Vol, II, p. 592, 593., « Ibid. p. 93Q. 
 
 F f 3 Vtt 
 
43 8 Spencer, Duke of Marlborough 
 
 Dr. Sacheverel, had fo favourable a fentence, as to be at li- 
 berty to fojourn where he pleafed ; and his itinerant proceffions, 
 through feveial parts of the Kingdom, caufing riots and difor- 
 ders, the Earl of Bradford, Lord Lieutenant of Shropfhire, laid 
 before the Earl of Sunderland, a reprefentation of feveral gentler- 
 men of the faid county, concerning the tumults, feditions, &c« 
 on that occafion. 
 
 His Lordfliip laying it before the Queen and Council,; 
 he was ordered to return an anfwer ; and thereupon April iov 
 17 io, wrote to the £arl of Bradford, " That her Majefty ex- 
 cc pre/Ted her dillike of thofe riotous and feditious proceed- 
 <c ings, &c. by which the publick peace is broken: And that 
 44 it was her Majefty's pleafure, that his Lordfhip, and the 
 6 ? gentlemen of the county, fhould effectually profecute the 
 CQ offenders, with the utmoft feverity of the law." Which} 
 letter of the Earl of Bradford's, with his reprefentation, and the 
 a nfwer thereto, being publifhed in the Gazette f , it gave fuch. 
 offence to the High-Church party, that they ufed all endeavours, 
 to get his Lordfhip r removed from his place of Secretary of 
 State. 
 
 The Dowager Duchejs of Marlborough, in the Account of Her 
 own Condnfit gives the following relation of their inveteracy. 
 About the beginning of June, the defign of turning out Lord 
 Sunderland, began to be talked of. Lord Marlborough was 
 ^ now abroad, at the head of the army. As foon as the news 
 f l reached him, he wrote a very moving letter to the Queen^ 
 M reprefenting the very ill confequences, it would neceffarily 
 Ci have upon all affairs abroad, to have his fon-in-law, again ft 
 £ c whofe fidelity nothing could be objected, and in whom the 
 ^ -allies had fo entire a confidence, turned out of her fervice 
 f| in the middle of a campaign: And begging it as a reward 
 cc of all his paft fervices, that fhe would at leaft delay her refo- 
 cc lution, till the campaign was ended. I was likewife (fays 
 cc " t^e Duchefs) urged by fome friends, to try to fay fomething 
 f c to divert, if ppffible, fuch a ftroke ; becaufe it was given out 5 
 p4 that the Queen would do this chiefly on my account, that I 
 ^ might feel the effecls of her difpleafure, in fo fenfible and, 
 f\ tender a point. J^o confideration proper to myfelf, could 
 " h#ye; induced ine to trouble the Queen again, after our 1 aft 
 * c coiiverfation. But I was .'overcome by the confideration of 
 f c Lord Marlborough,* Lotd Sunderland, and the publick in- 
 M t|re!y 3 and wrote in the beft manner I could to the Queen, 
 f c June 7, 1710 ; begging for Lord Marlborough's fake, that 
 £ 4 fhe would not give him fuch a blow, of which I dreaded 
 £', ,tbe confequence; putting her in mind of her letter about 
 frtlie .Duke upon the victory at Blenheim, &c." Her Grace; 
 
 f Annals/ year gth, p. 187, iSS, ittft f P, 253, 254. 
 
 likewifc 
 
Spencer, T)uke of Marlborough. 4 3 g 
 
 Fikewife wrote h a fecond letter to her Majefty, concluding, 
 That Jhe hegged it on her knees, &c. And gives 1 this further" ac- 
 count, <c Whether my interfering in this matter, haftened the 
 cc execution of the defign, I cannot fay. Certain it is, that 
 " it didn't retard it, for Lord Sunderland was prefently after 
 <c difmilTed from his office. On which occafion feveral great 
 " men, who wilhed well to their country ; and who feared 
 4 V Lord Marlborough might in difguft quit the fervice, wrotp 
 € * him a joint letter, &c." Which letter containing fome 
 jrnemorable paflages relating to the Earl of Sunderland, I think 
 ft proper to infert, as well in honour of the Duke of Marlbo-r 
 rough, and his Lordfhip, as of thofe who fent it. k 
 
 My Lord, , June 14, 1710. 
 
 <c We ftiould not have given your Grace the trouble of 
 <c this joint letter, but for the great concern and uneafinefs in 
 6 which we find you, on account of my Lord Sunderland, by 
 <c vour letter of the 20th to my Lord Treafurer, which he has 
 <c communicated to us. That letter, as moving and as rea- 
 ic fonable as it was, has not hindered the fea Is from being taken 
 " this morning from my Lord Sunderland. No wonder then: 
 fcC if the utmoft endeavours which could be ufed to prevent it, 
 * and the ftrbng arguments which have been made of the ill 
 « confluences, that muft attend fuch fteps both at home and 
 tc abroad, have met with little fuccefs. We find ourfelves fo 
 < c much affiidted with this misfortune, that we cannot but be 
 £C extreamly fenftble of the great mortification this muft give 
 « € you at this critical jun£lure, when you are every moment 
 6< hazarding your life in the fervice of your country ; and 
 tc whiift the fate of Europe depends in fo great a degree, on 
 ^ your conduct, and good fuccefs: But we are alfo as fully 
 c6 convinced, that it is impoffible for your Grace to quit th$ 
 cc fervice at this time, without the utmoft hazard to the whole 
 <c alliance. And we muft therefore conjure you by the glory 
 <c you have already obtained, by the many fervices you have 
 " done your Queen and Country ; by the expe&ation yogi 
 * 6 have juftly raifed in all Europe ; and by all that is dear and 
 " tender to you at home, whofe chief dependance is upon youif 
 cc fuccefs, that you would not leave this great work unfinifhed, 
 " but continue at the head of the army. This we look upon 
 Ci as the moft neceffary ftep that can be taken to prevent the 
 6i diffolution of this parliament. Your Grace's compliance 
 cc with this our earned requeft, would # be the greateft obliga- 
 <c tian to us, and all that wi(h well to our country. And you. 
 * c may depend upon it, that the contrary will be the greateft 
 
 11 Vide herConduft, p. 255, 256. 5 Ibid, p. 257. k Ibid. p. 257, 
 
 F f 4 " fatisfacltoa 
 
44° Spencer , Duke of Marlborough. 
 
 tc fatisfacYion to your enemies. We are, my Lord, your Grace's 
 <c moft humble and obedient fervants, 
 
 • 
 
 Cowper. C. Devonfhire. Godolphin. Orford. Somers. 
 
 Halifax, Newcaftle, H. Bo vie. 
 
 The removal of the Earl of Sunderland, had an immediate 
 effect on the funds and the publick credit at home ; whereby 
 it gave an alarm to all the courts in the grand alliance. But 
 being charged with no error or blemifh on his character, that 
 his remove might not appear too ungracious, her Majefty, as a 
 teftimony of her fatisfaction with his fervices, was pleafed to 
 fend to his Lordfhip *, That Jhe defigned to grant him 3000 1. per 
 Ann. to be fettled upon him for life. On which his Lordfhip, 
 with a generofity and integrity hardly paralleled, anfwered, He 
 was glad her Majejly was fatisfied he had done his duty ; but if he 
 could not have the honour to ferve his country ^ he would not plunder 
 it. To recount by what means the miniftry was totally changed, 
 is no part of that I am treating. The Earl of Sunderland was 
 fteady in promoting the interefts of the nation ; and had the 
 fatisfaction of feeing the effects of it, in our late Sovereign's 
 quietly coming to his Kingdoms. 
 
 Four days after his Majefty made his royal entry into the 
 city of London, he thought it proper to make feme removes 
 among the great officers, that were in the laft miniftry of Queen 
 Anne ; and was pleafed to appoint the Earl of Sunderland, Lord 
 Lieutenant of Ireland, in m the room of the Duke of Shrews- 
 bury, viz. on the 24th of Sept. 1714. And on the 27th of 
 the fame month, the King diflblving his Privy Council, and 
 appointing a new one to meet on the firft of October, his 
 Lordfhip 11 was then fworn thereof, and took his place at the 
 board. The year after his Lordfhip was much indifpofed in his 
 health, which not permitting his going over into Ireland °, he 
 refigned the government thereof, Auguft 23, 1715. Yet while 
 he held that important truft, he was watchful for the good of 
 the Kingdom; and by his care and intereft, matters were fo 
 well managed by removing difaffected perfons, that notwith- 
 ftanding the vaft numbers of papifts and malecontents, thofe in- 
 trufted by his Lordfhip with the government there, were able 
 to fpare feveral regiments for reducing the rebels in Great- 
 Britain. 
 
 Five days after his refignation of the government of Ireland, 
 he was p conftituted Lord Privy Seal. And Feb. 10, 1715-16, 
 had q a grant of the office of joint Vice-Treafurer of Ireland, 
 with Henry, Earl of Rochefter. On the 15th of April follow- 
 
 1 Annals, ut antea, p. 230, m Pointer's Chron. Hiflr. Part III. p. 777. 
 
 » Ibid. p. 779. © Ibid, p, 850, p Ibid. p. 851. ©• Ibid. p. 895. 
 
 ing 
 
Spencer, Duke of Marlborough. 441 
 
 Ing 1716, his r Lady (daughter of the Duke of Marlborough) 
 deceafed, which was a fenfible grief to his Lordfhip. 
 
 On the death of John Lord Somers, the 26th of April 1716 s , 
 he was in May following elected one of the Governors of the 
 Charter-Houfe, a truft to which none of late have been chofen, 
 but of the prime nobility and chief officers of ftate. Alfo the 
 6th of July the fame year \ was conftituted fole Vice-Treafurer 
 of Ireland. And his Majefty fetting out from u St. James's, 
 July 7, landed in Holland two days after, and proceeding to 
 Hanover, went from thence to drink the waters of Pyrmont. 
 The Earl of Sunderland attended the King at Hanover : And 
 Edward Southwell, James Vernon, and Andrew Charlton, 
 Efquires, were conftituted commiffioners for executing the of- 
 fice of Lord Privy Seal, during his Lordfhip's abfence ; w and 
 they took the ufual oaths in council at Hampton-Court, 23d of 
 Auguft 17 16, his prefent Majefty, then Guardian of the Realm, 
 being prefent. 
 
 His Lordfhip arrived at BrufTels x , Sept. 15, N. S. 17 16, and 
 from thence went to Aix la Chapelle, and after to the King at 
 Hanover; where he continued till the beginning of the year 
 enfuing, arriving from thence y at the Hague, January 13, at 
 night. On 23 January his Lordfhip, z with Lord Cadogan, 
 and Mr. Secretary Stanhope, fet out from the Hague for Utrecht, 
 to wait on the King, who was expected there in the afternoon. 
 His Majefty embarked at Helvoetfluys, 17 Jan. O. S. and 
 landed at Margate, about three the next day, accompanied by 
 the Earl of Sunderland. 
 
 Having refigned the office of Lord Privy Seal, to the Duke 
 of Kingfton, his Majefty was pleafed, 12 April 1717, a to ap- 
 point his Lordfhip one of his principal Secretaries of State; and 
 on the 1 6th was fworn b in council, and took his place at the 
 board accordingly. 
 
 On the 2d of October the fame year, the King fetting out 
 from St. James's, to take the diverfion of the horfe races at 
 Newmarket ; the Earl of Sunderland attending on him, intro- 
 duced to his Majefty, the Vice-Chancellor of the Univerfity of 
 Cambridge, to know his pleafure when he would be attended 
 by the Univerfity in a body. And his Majefty having appointed 
 Friday the 4th of October, they came accordingly in their for- 
 malities, being introduced by the Earl of Sunderland. And the 
 Vice-Chancellor made a fpeech to the King, in the name of 
 the Univerfity, full of expreffions of duty and affedtion for his 
 perfon, and zeal for his government, defiring he would honour 
 
 r Pointer's Chron. Hift. Part III. p. 910. 5 Ibid. p. 911. 
 
 No. 5449. u Ibid. No. 5455. w Ibid. No. 5463; 
 
 No. 547 1. y Ibid. No. 5502. f Ibidt No, 5504. 
 No, 5528. b Ibid. No. 5530. 
 
 Gazette, 
 
 : St 
 
 them 
 
442 Spencer, Duke of Marlborough. 
 
 them with his prefence at dinner ; who was gracioufly pleafed 
 to accept of their invitation,' and to appoint Sunday for that 
 purpofe. Accordingly, he was attended c by the Earl of Sun- 
 derland, and feveral of the nobility, and other perfons of dip 
 tin&ion, and was received with all demonftrations of the Uni-* 
 verfity's affection and loyalty to his perfon and government, and' 
 of their dutiful and grateful fenfe of the honour done them by 
 his royal prefence. At Trinity College he was entertained at 
 dinner, and the Earl of Sunderland had the honour to dine with 
 his Majefty, 
 
 On the 1 6th of March 17 17-18, the King being prefent in 
 council, at St. James's d , was pleafed to declare iiis Lordfhip 
 Lord Prefident of the Privy Council, and thereupon he took 
 his place at the board accordingly. And on the 21ft of March 
 following % his Majefty appointed him firft Commiffioner of the 
 Treafury, in the room of James Lord Vifcount Stanhope, who 
 fttcceeded him as Secretary of State. His Lordfhip was then 
 known, to be the firft in the King's favour and confidence, and 
 (o continued to the time of his deceafe.. 
 
 On refigning his place of Lord Prefident of the Privy Coun- 
 cil to the Duke of Kingfton, who was fworn in that truft at 
 St. James's, Feb. 6, 1718-19*"; his Lordfhip the fame day 
 was appointed by his Majefty, Groom of the Stole, and' firft 
 Gentleman of his Bed-chamber, And the King May 9, 1719,' 
 declaring in council, his intentions of leaving the Kingdom for 
 i. fhort time, he was nominated by his Majefty* one g of the 
 Eords Juftices, in whofe hands he thought fit to en truft the 
 Government during his abfence. 
 
 * There was then a war with Spain, and the late Duke of 
 Qrmond was fpirited up, to make an attempt to land in Eng- 
 land or Ireland ; and was in the fleet fitted out by the Spaniards 
 /or that purpofe, which failed from Cadiz 23 February O. S* 
 but were fo entirely difperfed by a ftorm, 18 March, about 
 56 leagues to the weft of cape Finifterre, as put an end to 
 their defigns of an invafion. However forne of the Lords 
 pf Scotland >vho had been attainted, and were to a£t in con-* 
 cert with the Duke,, landed in the Highlands, and gave fome 
 trouble ; but they with their party were foon difperfed by 
 the care and conduci: of the Lords Juftices. Afterwards the 
 Earl of Sunderland, with the Lords Juftices, having iigned a 
 proclamation h , July 1719, for apprehending William Murray, 
 called Marquis of Tullibardi.ne, George Keith, late Earl 
 Marefchal, and William Mackenfie, late Earl of Seaforth, 
 who appeared in arms, openly abetting the late infurredtion 
 &c.., they immediately after went out of the kingdom. And 
 
 * Gazette, No. 5580. • t Ibid. No, 5625. € Ibid. No.- 56261 
 
 *Tpid; No, 571&S ' 6 IMd. No. 5744. h Ibid. No. $766. 
 
 thereupon 
 
Spencer j Duke of .Marlborough. 443 
 
 thereupon his Lordfhip foon after fet out for Hanover to wait 
 on his Majefty, whereof our Gazettes 1 give the following 
 accounts. 
 
 " Hague September 8, 1719, N. S. on the 4th inftant in the 
 ^ morning, the Earl of Sunderland landed at Helvoetfluys, 
 6; In the afternoon he came to the Hague, and lodged in the 
 & Earl of Cadogan's houfe. Having been vifited by feveral 
 ci foreign minifters, and having conferred, with fome. of the 
 * c principal members of this ftate, he fet out this morning in 
 6C his way to Hanover, Earl Cadogan accompanying him as 
 44 far as Utrecht." 
 
 " Hanover September 5, O. S. k on the 3d inftant, the 
 c< - Earl of Sunderland arrived here, and had the honour to 
 *< dine with his Majefty the next day at Herenhaufen." His 
 Lordfhip returned to the Hague the 7th of November, O. S. 
 having attended on the King till his return to England 1 who 
 came to St. James's November 14, 1719. And at a chapter of 
 the garter, held at St. James's the 30th of November following,, 
 die Chancellor by his Majefty's command m fignified the vacancy, 
 occafioned by the death of the Duke of Schomberg ; and the fta- 
 tutes of the order prohibiting the election of any, who had not 
 actually received the honour of knighthood, the Sovereign com- 
 manded Garter to bring in Charles Earl of Sunderland, Groom 
 of the Stole, and firft Commiffioner of his Majefty's Treafury, 
 who being introduced, was knighted by his Majefty with the 
 f word' of State : After which he retired, and was immediately elect- 
 ed by the Knights Companions prefent, into that mofi noble 
 order. But was not inftalled till the 24th of May 1720 ; at 
 which time of his inftallation n , the Knights Companions of 
 the order, the foreign ambaffadors, with a great number of r 
 the nobility, and other perfons of quality and diftindion, were? 
 fplendidly entertained at dinner, in the council chamber. 
 
 His plate of inftalment, is the 10th in. the 0 24th ftall in the 
 chapel of St George at Windfor, as follows. 
 
 " Du tres noble etpuiflant Seigneur, Charles Comte de Sun- 
 tc derland, Baron Spencer de Wormleighton, premier commif- 
 cc faire pour 1' execution de la charge du Treforier de L' Eche- 
 €C quire de la Grande Bretagne, premier Gentilhomme de la 
 (< Chambre du lit du Roy, un des Seigneurs du confeil d' etar 
 ^ et prive de fa Majeftie, et Chevalier du tres noble ordre 
 
 de la jarretier, inftalle au chateau de Windfor le 24 jour 
 *f de May, l'an 1720." 
 
 On the nth. of June, 1720, he was p again declared one 
 of the Lords Juftices, for the adminiftration of the governs 
 
 1 Gazette, No. 5777, 57S0. , k Ibid. No. 5793. ! Ibid. Na. 58010. 
 
 «■ Ibid. No. 5803. n Ibid. No. 5854. Pote's Hift. and Antiq.-of 
 
 ^jndfor, p. 313. P Gazette^ No. 5859. 
 
444 Spencer , Duke of Marlborough. 
 
 merit during the King's abfence that year. And in the begin^ 
 ning of September his Lordfhip fet out from his houfe irr 
 Piccadilly for Hanover % and left the Hague the 15th of that 
 month on his journey thither, where he was received by his 
 Majefty with marks of diftindtion. His Lordfliip after attend- 
 ing the King at the Gohre r , came to Hanover October 10th ; 
 and the next day in the evening proceeded on his journey to 
 England. But on his arrival at the Hague, and going thence 
 to Helvoetfluys, he 5 was detained there eleven days by con- 
 trary winds, having in his company Sir George Bing (after 
 Vifcount Torrington) who accompanied him from Hanover ; 
 and had once put to fea, endeavouring to pafs over to Eng- 
 land in the William and Mary yatcht, when they were driven 
 back by ftrefs of weather, and in fome danger. 
 
 On the 5th of November, the King t arrived at Helvoetfluys 
 and Lord Sunderland embarked with his Majefty, who put to 
 fea, but was obliged by contrary winds to return thither the 
 7th. On the gth they embarked again, and landing at Margate 
 on the 10th in the evening, came to St. James's the next day. 
 
 In the fucceeding year 1721, his Majefty made his aboad 
 in England ; and his Lordfliip continued at the head of af- 
 fairs, and in favour with his Sovereign, till the day of his 
 death; which was made publick in the Gazette u , That he 
 died on the 21ft April 1722, much lamented. 
 
 His Lordfhip was diftinguifhed by his encouragement of 
 learning, and learned men; and very much enlarged the library 
 of his family, by purchafing all valuable books that were pub- 
 lished, as Dr. Claget, Bifhop of Exeter informed me, who was 
 his Lordfhip's Chaplain ; and among other authors, who were 
 partakers of his favours, Sir Richard Steel dedicated to him 
 the 6th volume of Spectators, wherein he has juftly defcribed 
 his Lordfhip's character. 
 
 cc Candour and opennefs of heart fliined in all his actions, 
 * c and a willing condefcenfion to all fubordinate to him, made 
 <c bufinefs a pleafure to thofe who executed it under him. He 
 * c was accompiifhed with a great facility and el'egance in all the 
 <c modern, as well as ancient languages, and had a perfect 
 <€ knowledge of books and men. He was a happy and proper 
 <c member of the miniftry, having a full and deep penetration 
 * 4 in the interefts of mankind, joined with that of his fellow 
 " fubje&s." It may alfo be juftly faid, his integrity in the 
 publick fervice can't more evidently appear, than by his not 
 making any addition to his eftate, though he was prime Minif- 
 ter for feveral years. 
 
 * Gazette, No. 5883. r Ibid. No 5896. 8 Ibid. No. 5898. 
 
 } Ibid. No. 5902. u Ibid. No. 6052. 
 
 His 
 
Spencer, Duke of Marlborough. 445 
 
 His Lordfhip by his fecond Lady, daughter and co-heir of his 
 Grace John Duke of Marlborough, as before mentioned, had 
 ifTue four fons, and two daughters, 
 
 1. Robert, Lord Spencer, born the fecond of December 1700, 
 and died September 12, the year following. 
 
 2. Robert, Lord Spencer, late Earl of Sunderland, who 
 after a polite education, fet out on his travels, and landed with 
 our late Sovereign King George at Helvoetfluys, May 12 
 1719*; and was at the Hague in company with the Duke of 
 Wharton, and Lord How. His Lordfhip x with the Lord 
 Ryalton were at Geneva in April 1720, and continued beyond 
 the feas, till after the death of his noble father ; on whofe deceafe 
 he returned by the way * of France (being as I prefume in Italy ) 
 and landing at Dover, May 18, 1722, arrived in town the 
 next day. On the iothof October the fame year, his Lord- 
 fliip flood godfather with the King, who was in perfon at the 
 Countefs of Sunderland's, at the chriftning of her fon, bora 
 after the death of the late Earl of Sunderland her hufband, and 
 gave him the name of George. The godmother was her 
 Grace the Duchefs of Monmouth. His Lordfhip afterwards 
 going again beyond the feas, was feized with a fever at Paris, 
 which after eleven days illnefs put a period to his life, in the 
 28th year of his age, on the 27th of November 1729, and dying 
 unmarried, his honours and eftate devolved on his brother 
 Charles, now Earl of Sunderland, and Duke of Marlborough, 
 &c. But before I treat of his Grace I fhall proceed to give an 
 account of his brothers, and fitters , and of his father's third 
 marriage. 
 
 The honourable John Spencer was the fourth fon of the 
 Earl of Sunderland, born 13 May 1708, who by the laft will 
 and teftament of his grandmother, Sarah Duchefs of Marlborough, 
 was left a very great fortune and eftate. On the deceafe of 
 William Lord Marquis ofBlandford, who was member of par- 
 liament for Woodftock, a writ being ordered for a new ele£li- 
 on January 13, 1732, he was z chofe in his place. And in 
 that parliament fummoned to meet June 13, 1734, he a was 
 eledted one of the Knights of the (hire for the County of 
 Bedford ; and b returned for the borough of Woodftock, to 
 the fame parliament. Alfo in that fummoned to meet June 
 25, 1741* was again chofe for Woodftock; and being made 
 ranger and keeper of his Majefty's great park at Windfor, 
 a new w r rit was ordered November 27, 1744 c , when he 
 was re-elected member for Woodftock. He was married the 
 14th of February 1733-4, to Georgia-Carolina, 3d daughter 
 
 w Gazette, No. 5746. * Ibid. No. 5842. * Ibid. No. 6060. 
 
 * Britifh Pari. Regift. No. 136. a Ibid. No. 1$ * Ibid. No, 136. 
 
 * Ibid. 
 
 2 Of 
 
446 Spencer \ Duke of Marlborough* 
 
 of the right hortourble John Earl of Granville, fay whom ha 
 had iflueafon the honourable John Spencer, born the 6th of 
 December, 1734, now living 1755, and a daughter Diana 9 - 
 who died about fix years old. And departing this life pn the 
 20th of June , 1746, left his lady fur viving, who is fince mar- 
 ried to William Earl Cowper. 
 
 Lady Ann Spencer, eldeft daughter of the Earl of Sunder- 
 land, was married to William Lord Vifcount Bateman, of 
 the kingdom of Ireland* and of Shobdon Court in Hereford- 
 fhife, father by her Ladyfhip of John Lord Vifcount Bateman^ 
 Who was elected for Orford in Suffolk, in 1746 V and the 
 year after on a new parliament being called, he was chofer* 
 for Woodftock, as alfo in the prefent parliament which met 
 May 31, 1754. And his brother, the honourable William Bate- 
 man, was member for Gatton in Surry in the laft parliament. 
 
 Lady Diana Spencer, 2d and youngefl: daughter, "was 
 married to his Grace, John Duke of Bedford, but died in 
 1736, leaving no iffue. 
 
 The 3d w r ife of the Earl of Sunderland, which he married: 
 on the 5th of December 1617 e , was Judith? daughter and 
 co-heir of Benjamin Tichborne Efquire, brother to Henry 
 Lord Vifcount Tichborne, grandfon of Sir Henry Tichborne 
 Knt. one of the Lords Juftices of Ireland, temp. Car. I. 4th 
 fon of Sir Benjamin Tichborne of Tichborne in Com. South- 
 ampton, Knt. and Baronet. By which Lady (fecondly married 
 to Sir Robert Sutton of Broughton in Com. Lincoln, Knt. 
 of the Bath) he left iffue one fon born the 5th of October 
 1718, named William, who died of the fmall pox on the 2d 
 of April 1722, and was buried at the fame time with the 
 Earl his father at Brinton. He had alfo by her a daughter 
 Lady Margaret; and a Ton baptifed 10 October 1722, named 
 George, as before mentioned, but they both died in their in-* 
 fancies. And their mother died in May, 1749. 
 
 1 am now to treat of his Grace Charles Duke of Marl- 
 borough, Marquis of Blandford, Earl of Sunderland, &c ? 
 His Grace on the death of William Marquis of Blandford j 
 only fon and heir of Francis Earl of Godolphin, and his wife 
 Henrietta Duchefs of Marlborough, who died on the 24th of 
 Auguft 1731, fucceeded to the title of Marquis of Blandford j 
 alfo to an annual rent charge of 8000I. per ann. purfuant to 
 the will of his Grace John Churchill, Duke of Marlborough,, 
 And on the deceafe of the faid Henrietta Duchefs of Marl- 
 borough, the 24th of October 1733, fucceeded to the title 
 of Duke of Marlborough, &c. as heir to the Lady Anne 
 Churchill his mother, fecond daughter and co-heir to the 
 faid John Duke of Marlborough. 
 
 4 Pari. Regift. No. 136, 175. e Ex Colled. Rob. Dak Richmond Fecial, 
 
 I His 
 
7 
 
 Spencer, Duke of Marlborough. 447 
 
 His Grace inclining to a martial life, his f Majefty " was 
 pleafed the 4th of April, 1738, to conftitute him Colonel of 
 a regiment of foot; and on the 10th of September 1739 s, to 
 be Colonel of a regiment of dragoons. 
 
 On the 26th of January 1738-9, his Grace h was ap- 
 pointed Lord Lieutenant and Cuftos Rotulorum of the Coun- 
 ties of Oxford and Buckingham ; alfo foon after made one 
 of the Lords of his Majefty's bedchamber, and on the 12 May, 
 1740 \ conftituted Captain and Colonel of the fecond troop 
 of his Majefty's horfe guards. 4 
 
 , At a Chapter of the moil noble order of the Garter, held 
 at the palace xDf St. James's, March 20, 1 741-2, his k Grace 
 having been firft knighted by his Majefty, was elected one of 
 the Knights Companions of that moft noble order; and on the 
 2-i ft of April following, 'was 1 with great magnificence 'in'ft'alled 
 at Windfor, with the Dukes of St. Albans, Kingfton, art'd 
 Portland, being placed in the r2th ftall on the Prince's fide, 
 where' under a plate of his Grace's arms &c. in St. George's 
 chapel, is the following infcription m . 
 
 Du tres haut puiffant et tres noble Prince Charles, Due dp 
 Marlborough, Marquis de Blandford, Comte de Sunderland, 
 et de' Marlborough^ - Baron Spencer de Wormleighton., et 
 Baron Churchilt de Sandridge, Seigneur Lieutenant et garde 
 des rolles dans les provinces de Bucks et d'Oxford, Gentil- 
 homme de la Chamber du lit de fa Majefte, Capitaine et Co-; 
 lonel du fecond regiment Royal des gards a cheval, Chevalier dii 
 tres noble ordre de la jarretiere inftalle au chateau de Windbfor 
 le 21 jour Auril, Fan 1741. 
 
 On the 20th of February 1741-2, his Royal Highnefs the 
 Duke of Cumberland being appointed Colonel of the firft 
 regiment of foot-guards, vacant by the deceafe of Sir Charles 
 Willes, his Majefty n -at the fame time conferred on his Grace 
 the fecond regiment of foot guards, whereof his Royal Highnefe 
 had before the command. And on the 26th of February the 
 year after, his Grace 0 Vtras promoted to the rank of Brigadier 
 General of his Majefty's forces. 
 
 In 1743, when our moft gracious Sovereign put himfelf at 
 the head of his army, his Grace went over with his Majefty p r 
 and had the command of the brigade of foot-guards, whicri 
 remarkably drftinguiflied themfelves at the battle of De.ttingen 
 June 1743. the infantry gaining ground from the beginnings 
 till they were mafters of the field $ as the account In our Gazette 
 ftfecifies. 
 
 r U#$?£1 . ,>. til %0': «{?'->|agV- ur- 
 
 f Ga2ette, No. 76S9. .. s Millan's fucceffion of Colonels. ^ v h.Q-azette, 
 No. 7774. ' :i Ibid. No. 79P9. * Ibid. No. 799S., 1 Ibid. Np 8009*.' 
 ^'Pote's Hift. of Windfor, p 313. » Gazstte^ No. S094. tt @ Ibyi, 
 
 No. S200. P ibid. No, 8240. 
 
 On 
 
44 8 Spencer, Duke of Marlborough. 
 
 On the 5th of O&ober 1744, his Grace * refigned his regi- 
 ment of foot-guards, which was conferred on the Earl of Albe- 
 marle ; having that year on the deceafe of Sarah Duchefs of 
 Marlborough, fucceeded to the Duke of Marlborough's eftate. 
 
 On the breaking out of the rebellion in 1745, his Grace 
 was conftituted Major General of his Majefty's Forces r ; arid on 
 the 10th of O&ober 1747, Lieutenant General of the forces. 
 
 In 1749, his Majefty was pleafed to declare his Grace Lord 
 Steward of his Houfhold ; and thereupon, by his Majefty's com- 
 mand, was fworn of the Privy Council, and took his place at 
 that board as Lord Steward of the Houfhold, the 12th of June, 
 1749. On the 17th of April 1750, his Majefty in council, 
 declaring his intention of leaving the Kingdom for a ftiort time, 
 was pleafed to appoint his Grace one of the Lords Juftices, for 
 the adminiftration of the government during his abfence. And 
 on July 12 following, his Grace, with the Duke of Richmond, 
 and the Duke of Portland, by commiffion from his Majefty, 
 inftalled his Royal Highnefs George Prince of Wales, a Knight 
 of the moft noble Order of the Garter ; alfo at the fame time, 
 feven more of the higheft rank, who had been elected with his 
 Royal Highnefs into that moft noble order. On the deceafe of 
 the Duke of Richmond foon after, his Grace was chofen to 
 fucceed him, as one of the Governors of the Charter-Houfe, 
 Sept. 27, the fame year. 
 
 On the 30th of March, 1752 s , when his Majefty declared 
 his refolution of vifiting his dominions in Germany, he was again 
 nominated one of the Lords Juftices during his Majefty's abfence. 
 
 His Grace, with his Royal Highnefs the Duke of Cumber- 
 land, and the great officers of State *, were Commiffioners for 
 opening the feffion of parliament at Weftminfter, 3 [ft of May, 
 1754; alfo in another commiffion for putting u an end to the 
 feffion, June 5 following, when they prorogued it to Thurfday 
 8 Auguft. 
 
 On the deceafe of Earl Gower Lord Privy Seal, his Majefty 
 was pleafed x Jan. 7th, 1755, to grant to his Grace the office 
 of Keeper of his Majefty's Privy Seal. 
 
 And April 26, 1755, his Grace was again * appointed one 
 of the Lords Juftices for the adminiftration of the government, 
 during his Majefty's abfence. 
 
 His Grace on the 23d of May 1732, was married to Eliza- 
 beth, daughter of Thomas Lord Trevor, and by her Grace hath 
 iflue now living, 1754. 
 
 George, Marquis of Blandford, born 26 Jan. 1738, who had 
 his prefent Majefty for his godfather. 
 
 « Gazette, No. 8471. r Ibid. No. 8682. * Ibid. No. 9153. * Ibid. 
 No. 9376. * Ibid; No. 9378, * Ibid. No. 9439, y Ibid. 
 
 No. 9471, 
 
 Lord 
 
^^m^m^^^ 449 
 
 Lord Charles Spencer, born 31 March, and baptifed April 18* 
 1740. 
 
 Lord Robert Spencer, born the 8th of May, 1747. 
 
 Lady Diana Spencer, born 24 March 1734. 
 
 Lady Elizabeth Spencer, born 29 December 1737* 
 
 Titles.] Charles Spencer, Duke of Marlborough, Marquis 
 ofBlandford, Earl of Sunderland, and of Marlborough, Baron 
 Spencer of Wormleighton, and Baron Churchill of Sandridge, 
 one of the Lords of his Majefty's moft honourable Privy Coun- 
 cil, Lord Lieutenant of the county of Oxford, and of Bucking- 
 hamfhire; Lieutenant General of his Majefty's forces, Lord 
 Keeper of his Majefty's Privy Seal, and Knight of the moft noble 
 Order of the Garter. 
 
 Creations.] Baron Churchill of Sandridge, in Com. Hert- 
 ford, i4May (1685) 1 Jac. II. Baron Spencer of Wormleigh- 
 ton, in Com. Warwick, 21 July, (1603) 1 Jac. I. Earl of 
 Marlborough, in Com. Wilts, 9 April 1689, 1 WilL and Mar. 
 Earl of Sunderland, 8 June (1643) 19 Car. I. And Marquis of 
 Blandford, in Com. Dorfet, and Duke of Marlborough aforefaid, 
 i4Decemb. (1702) I Anne. 
 
 Arms.] Quarterly, Argent and Gules, in the 2d and 3d a 
 Fret, Or; over all, on a Bend, Sable, three Efcalops of the 
 firft. 
 
 Crest.] In a Ducal Coronet, Or, a Gryphon's Head be- 
 tween two wings erefted, Argent, gorged with a plain Collar, 
 Gules, beaked, Or. 
 
 Supporters.] The dexter, a Gryphon party per feft, Argent 
 and Or; finifter, a Wyvern, Argent, wings expanded, each 
 collar'd and chain'd, Sable ; and each Collar charged with three 
 Efcallops, Argent. , 
 
 Motto.] Dieu defend le Droit. 
 
 Chief Seat.] At Blenheim, near Woodftock, Oxfordmire, 
 59 miles from London* 
 
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