List of the Principal Books, Pamphlets, Tracts, and Newspapers, Consulted in Writing This Volume
“Elenchus Motuum Nuperorum.” Heath’s “Flagellum; or, the Life and Death of Oliver Cromwell.” Banks’ “Life of Cromwell.” “Review of the Political Life of Cromwell.” “A Modest Vindication of Oliver Cromwell.” “The Machivilian Cromwellist.” Kimber’s “Life of Cromwell.” “The World Mistaken in Oliver Cromwell”(1668). “A Letter of Comfort to Richard Cromwell.” “Letters from Fairfax to Cromwell.” “Cromwell’s Letters and Speeches.” “A Collection of Several Passages concerning Cromwell in his Sickness.” “The Protector’s Declaration against the Royal Family of the Stuarts.” “Memoirs of Cromwell and his Children, supposed to be written by himself.” “Narrative of the Proceedings of the English Army in Scotland.” “An Account of the Last Houres of the late renowned Oliver, Lord Protector” (1659). “Sedition Scourged.” Heath’s “Chronicles of the late Intestine War.” Welwood’s “Memoirs of Transactions in England.” “Memoirs of Edmund Ludlow, M.P., in the year 1640.” Forster’s “Statesmen of the Commonwealth.” “Killing No Murther.” Thurloe’s “State Papers.” Lord Clarendon’s “State Papers.” Tatham’s “Aqua Triumphalis.” “The Public Intelligencer.” “Mercurius Politicus.” “The Parliamentary Intelligencer.” Lyon’s “Personal History of Charles II.” “The Boscobel Tracts, relating to the Escape of Charles II.” “An Exact Narrative of his Majesty’s Escape from Worcester.” Several Passages relating to the “Declared King of Scots both by Sea and Land.” “Charles II.’s Declaration to his Loving Subjects in the Kingdom of England.” “England’s Joy; or, a Relation of the most Remarkable Passages from his Majesty’s Arrival at Dover to his Entrance at Whitehall.” “Copies of Two Papers written by the King.” “His Majesty’s Gracious Message to General Monk.” “King Charles, His Starre.” “A Speech spoken by a Blew-Coat of Christ’s Hospital to his Sacred Majesty.” “Monarchy Revived.” “The History of Charles II., by a Person of Quality.” Lady Fanshawe’s “Memoirs.” “The Character of Charles II., written by an Impartial Hand and exposed to Public View.” “Sports and Pastimes of the English People.” “A History of Domestic Manners and Sentiments in England.” Wright’s “Homes of Other Days.” Idalcomb’s “Anecdotes of Manners and Customs of London.” Pepys’ “Diary.” Evelyn’s “Diary.” Grammont’s “Memoirs.” Lord Romney’s “Diary of the Times of Charles II.” “The Life and Adventures of Colonel Blood.” “Diary of Dr. Edward Lake, Court Chaplain.” Bishop Burnet’s “History of His Own Times.” Oldmixon’s “Court Tales.” Madame Dunois’ “Memoirs of the English Court.” Heath’s “Glories and Triumphs of Charles II.” “Continuation of the Life of Edward, Earl of Clarendon.” “Original Correspondence of Lord Clarendon.” “The Memoirs of Sir John Reresby.” Lister’s “Life of Clarendon. Brain Fairfax’s “Memoirs of the Duke of Buckingham.” “Letters of Philip, Second Earl of Chesterfield.” Aubrey’s “Memoirs.” “The Life of Mr. Anthony a Wood, written by Himself.” Elias Ashmole’s “Memoirs of his Life.” Luttrell’s “Diary.” “The Althorp Memoirs” (privately printed). Lord Broghill’s “Memoirs.” “Memoir of Barbara, Duchess of Cleveland” (privately printed). Aubrey’s “Lives of Eminent Men.” Count Magalotti’s “Travels in England.” “The Secret History of Whitehall: consisting of Secret Memoirs which have hitherto lain conceal’d as not being discoverable by any other hand.” “Athenae Oxonienses.” Lord Rochester’s Works. Brown’s “Miscellanea Aulica.” The Works of Andrew Marvell. “State Tracts, relating to the Government from the year 1660 to 1689.” “Antiquities of the Crown and State of Old England.” “Narrative of the Families exposed to the Great Plague of London.” “Loimologia; or, an Historical Account of the Plague in 1665.” “A Collection of very Valuable and Scarce Pieces relating to the Last Plague in 1665.” “London’s Dreadful Visitation.” “Letter of Dr, Hedges to a Person of Quality.” “God’s Terrible Voice in the City: a Narrative of the late Dreadful Judgments by Plague and Fire.” “Pestis; a Collection of Scarce Papers relating to the Plague.” “An Account of the Fire of London, published by authority.” Lord Clarendon’s “Account of the Great Fire.” “A Voyage into England, containing many things relating to the State of Learning, Religion, and other Curiosities of that Kingdom,” by Mons. Sorbiere. Carte’s “Life of James, Duke of Ormond.” Carte’s “History of England.” Lord Somers’ “Collection of Scarce and Valuable Tracts.” “Memoirs of the Duchess of Mazarine.” “Secret History of the Duchess of Portsmouth.” St. Evremond’s “Memoirs.” “Curialia; or, an Historical Account of some Branches of the Royal Household.” “Parliamentary History.” Oldmixon’s “History of the Stuarts.” Ellis’s “Original Letters.” Charles James Fox’s “History of James II.” Sir George L’Estrange’s “Brief History of the Times.” Lord Romney’s “Diary of the Times of Charles II.” Clarke’s “Life of James II.” “Vindication of the English Catholics.” “The Tryals, Conviction and Sentence of Titus Oates.” “A Modest Vindication of Oates.” “Tracts on the Popish Plot.” Macpherson’s “Original Papers.” A. Marvell’s “Account of Popery.” “An Exact Discovery of the Mystery of Iniquity as Practised among the Jesuits.” Smith’s “Streets of London.” “London Cries.” Seymour’s “Survey of the Cities of London and Westminster.” Stow’s “Survey of London and Westminster.” “Angliae Metropolis.” Dr. Laune’s “Present State of London, 1681.” Sir Roger North’s “Examn.” “The Character of a Coffee House.” Stow’s “Chronicles of Fashion.” Fairholt’s “Costume in England.” “A Just and Seasonable Reprehension of Naked Breasts and Shoulders.” Sir William Petty’s “Observations of the City of London.” John Ogilvy’s “London Surveyed.” R. Burton’s “Historical Remarks.” Dr. Birch’s “History of the Royal Society of London.” “A Century of Inventions.” Wild’s “History of the Royal Society.” “The Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society.” Richardson’s “Life of Milton.” Philip’s “Life of Milton.” Johnson’s “Lives of the Poets.” Aubrey’s “Collections for the Life of Milton.” Langbaine’s “Lives and Characters of the English Dramatic Poets.” “Some Remarkable Passages in the Life of Mr. Wycherley.” “Some Account of what Occurred at the King’s Death,” by Richard Huddlestone, O.S.B. “A True Narrative of the late King’s Death.”
CHAPTER II.
The story of the king’s escape.—He accepts the Covenant, and lands in
Scotland.—Crowned at Scone.—Proclaimed king at Carlisle.—The
battle of Worcester,—Bravery of Charles.—Disloyalty of the Scottish
cavalry.—The Royalists defeated.—The king’s flight.—Seeks refuge
in Boscobel Wood. The faithful Pendrells.—Striving to cross the
Severn.—Hiding in an oak tree.—Sheltered by Master Lane. Sets out
with Mistress Lane.—Perilous escapes.—On the road.—The king is
recognised.—Strange adventures.
—His last night in England.
CHAPTER III.
CHAPTER III.
Celebration of the king’s return. Those who flocked to Whitehall.—My
Lord Cleveland’s gentlemen.—Sir Thomas Allen’s supper.—Touching for
king’s evil.—That none might lose their labour—The man with the fungus
nose.—The memory of the regicides.—Cromwell’s effigy.—Ghastly scene
at Tyburn.—The king’s clemency.—The Coronation procession.—Sights and
scenes by the way.
—His majesty is crowned
CHAPTER IV.
CHAPTER IV.
The king’s character.—His proverbial grace.—He tells a story well.—“A
warmth and sweetness of the blood.”—Beautiful Barbara Palmer.—Her
intrigue with my Lord Chesterfield.—James, Duke of York. His
early days.—Escape from St. James’s.—Fights in the service of
France.—Marriage with Anne Hyde.—Sensation at Court.—The Duke of
Gloucester’s death.—The Princess of Orange.—Schemes against the
Duke of York’s peace.—The “lewd informer.”—Anne Hyde is acknowledged
Duchess of York.
CHAPTER V.
CHAPTER V.
Morality of the restoration.—Puritan piety.—Cromwell’s
intrigues.—Conduct of women under the Republic.—Some notable
courtiers.—The Duke of Ormond and his family.—Lord St. Albans and
Henry Jermyn.—His Grace of Buckingham and Mistress Fairfax.—Lord
Rochester.—Delights all hearts.—The king’s projected
marriage.—Catherine of Braganza.—His majesty’s speech.—A royal
love-letter.
—The new queen sets sail.
CHAPTER VI.
CHAPTER VI.
The king’s intrigue with Barbara Palmer.—The queen arrives at
Portsmouth.—Visited by the Duke of York.—The king leaves town.—First
interview with his bride.—His letter to the lord chancellor.—Royal
marriage and festivities.—Arrival at Hampton Court Palace.—Prospects
of a happy union.—Lady Castlemaine gives birth to a second child.—The
king’s infatuation.—Mistress and wife.—The queen’s misery.—The king’s
cruelty.—Lord Clarendon’s messages.—His majesty resolves to break the
queen’s spirit.
—End of the domestic quarrel.
CHAPTER VII.
CHAPTER VII.
Their majesties arrive at Whitehall.—My Lady Castlemaine a
spectator.—Young Mr. Crofts.—New arrivals at court.—The Hamilton
family.—The Chevalier de Grammont.—Mrs. Middleton and Miss Kirke.—At
the queen’s ball.—La belle Hamilton.—The queen mother at Somerset
House.—The Duke of Monmouth’s marriage.—Fair Frances Stuart.—Those
who court her favour.
—The king’s passion.
CHAPTER VIII.
CHAPTER VIII.
The Duke of York’s intrigues.—My Lady Chesterfield and his royal
highness.—The story of Lady Southesk’s love,—Lord Arran plays the
guitar.—Lord Chesterfield is jealous.—The countess is taken from
court.—Mistress Margaret Brooks and the king.—Lady Denham and the
duke.—Sir John goes mad.
—My lady is poisoned.
CHAPTER IX.
CHAPTER IX.
Court life under the merry monarch.—Riding in Hyde Park.—Sailing on
the Thames.—Ball at Whitehall.—Petit soupers.—What happened at
Lady Gerrard’s.—Lady Castlemaine quarrels with the king.—Flight to
Richmond.—The queen falls ill.—The king’s grief and remorse.—Her
majesty speaks.—Her secret sorrow finds voice in delirium.—Frances
Stuart has hopes.
—The queen recovers.
CHAPTER X.
CHAPTER X.
Notorious courtiers.—My Lord Rochester’s satires.—Places a watch on
certain ladies of quality.—His majesty becomes indignant.—Rochester
retires to the country.—Dons a disguise and returns to town.—Practises
astrology.—Two maids of honour seek adventure.—Mishaps which befell
them.—Rochester forgiven.—The Duke of Buckingham.—Lady Shrewsbury
and her victims.—Captain Howard’s duel.—Lord Shrewsbury avenges
his honour.—A strange story.—Colonel Blood attempts an
abduction.—Endeavours to steal the regalia.—The king converses with
him.
CHAPTER XI.
CHAPTER XI.
Terror falls upon the people.—Rumours of a plague.—A sign in the
heavens.—Flight from the capital.—Preparations against the dreaded
enemy.—Dr. Boghurst’s testimony.—God’s terrible voice in the
city.—Rules made by the lord mayor.—Massacre of animals.—O, dire
death!—Spread of the distemper.—Horrible sights.—State of the
deserted capital.—“Bring out your dead.”—Ashes to ashes.—Fires are
lighted.—Relief of the poor.
—The mortality bills.
CHAPTER XII
CHAPTER XII
A cry of fire by night.—Fright and confusion.—The lord mayor is
unmanned.—Spread of the flames.—Condition of the streets.—Distressful
scenes.—Destruction of the Royal Exchange.—Efforts of the king and the
Duke of York.—Strange rumours and alarms, St. Paul’s is doomed.—The
flames checked.—A ruined city as seen by day and night.—Wretched state
of the people.—Investigation into the origin of the fire.—A new city
arises.
CHAPTER XIII.
CHAPTER XIII.
The court repairs to Oxford—Lady Castlemaine’s son.—Their majesties
return to Whitehall.—The king quarrels with his mistress.—Miss Stuart
contemplates marriage.—Lady Castlemaine attempts revenge.—Charles
makes an unpleasant discovery.—The maid of honour elopes.—His majesty
rows down the Thames.—Lady Castlemaine’s intrigues.—Fresh quarrels at
court.
—The king on his knees.
CHAPTER XIV.
CHAPTER XIV.
The kingdom in peril.—The chancellor falls under his majesty’s
displeasure.—The Duke of Buckingham’s mimicry.—Lady Castlemaine’s
malice.—Lord Clarendon’s fall.—The Duke of Ormond offends the king’s
mistress.—She covers him with abuse.—Plots against the Duke of
York.—Schemes for a royal divorce.—Moll Davis and Nell Gwynn.—The
king and the comedian.—Lady Castlemaine abandons herself to great
disorders.—Young Jack Spencer.—The countess intrigues with an
acrobat.—Talk of the town.
—The mistress created a duchess.
CHAPTER XV.
CHAPTER XV.
Louise de Querouaille.—The Triple Alliance.—Louise is created Duchess
of Portsmouth,—Her grace and the impudent comedian.—Madam Ellen moves
in society. The young Duke of St. Albans.—Strange story of the
Duchess of Mazarine.—Entertaining the wits at Chelsea.—Luxurious
suppers.—profligacy and wit.
CHAPTER XVI.
CHAPTER XVI.
A storm threatens the kingdom—The Duke of York is touched in his
conscience.—His interview with Father Simons.—The king declares his
mind.—The Duchess of York becomes a catholic.—The circumstances of her
death.—The Test Act introduced.—Agitation of the nation.—The Duke
of York marries again.—Lord Shaftesbury’s schemes.—The Duke of
Monmouth.—William of Orange and the Princess Mary.—Their marriage and
departure from England.
CHAPTER XVII.
CHAPTER XVII.
The threatened storm bursts.—History of Titus Oates and Dr. Tonge.—A
dark scheme concocted.—The king is warned of danger.—The narrative of
a horrid plot laid before the treasurer.—Forged letters.—Titus Oates
before the council.—His blunders.—A mysterious murder.—Terror of the
citizens.—Lord Shaftesbury’s schemes.—Papists are banished from the
capital.—Catholic peers committed to the Tower.
—Oates is encouraged.
CHAPTER XVIII.
CHAPTER XVIII.
Reward for the discovery of murderers.—Bedlow’s character
and evidence.—His strange story.—Development of the “horrid
plot.”—William Staley is made a victim.—Three Jesuits hung.—Titus
Oates pronounced the saviour of his country.—Striving to ruin the
queen.—Monstrous story of Bedlow and Oates.—The king protects
her majesty.—Five Jesuits executed.—Fresh rumours concerning
the papists.—Bill to exclude the Duke of York.—Lord Stafford is
tried.—Scene at Tower Hill.
—Fate of the conspirators.
CHAPTER XIX.
CHAPTER XIX.
London under Charles II.—Condition and appearance of the
thoroughfares.—Coffee is first drunk in the capital.—Taverns and
their frequenters.—The city by night.—Wicked people do creep
about.—Companies of young gentlemen.—The Duke of Monmouth kills
a beadle.—Sir Charles Sedley’s frolic.—Stately houses of the
nobility.—St. James’s Park.—Amusement of the town.—At Bartholomew
Fair.—Bull, bear, and dog fights.
—Some quaint sports.
CHAPTER XX.
CHAPTER XX.
Court customs in the days of the merry monarch.—Dining in public.—The
Duke of Tuscany’s supper to the king.—Entertainment of guests by
mountebanks.—Gaming at court.—Lady Castlemaine’s losses.—A fatal
duel.—Dress of the period.—Riding-habits first seen.—His majesty
invents a national costume.—Introduction of the penny post.—Divorce
suits are known.—Society of Antiquaries.—Lord Worcester’s
inventions.
—The Duchess of Newcastle.
CHAPTER XXI.
CHAPTER XXI.
A period rich in literature.—John Milton’s early life.—Writing
“Paradise Lost.”—Its publication and success.—His later works and
death.—John Dryden gossips with wits and players.—Lord Rochester’s
revenge.—Elkanah Settle.—John Crowne.—Thomas Otway rich in
miseries.—Dryden assailed by villains.—The ingenious Abraham
Cowley.—The author of “Hudibras.”—Young Will Wycherley and Lady
Castlemaine. The story of his marriage.—Andrew Marvell, poet and
politician.
—John Bunyan.
CHAPTER XXII.
Time’s flight leaves the king unchanged.—The Rye House
conspiracy.—Profligacy of the court.—The three duchesses.—The king
is taken ill.—The capital in consternation.—Dr. Ken questions his
majesty.—A Benedictine monk is sent for.—Charles professes catholicity
and receives the Sacraments.—Farewell to all.—His last night on
earth.—Daybreak and death.
—He rests in peace.