A TABLE of memorable, or somewhat remarkable events, relating to this town, from the Conquest to the present time; including what is most worthy of preservation in Mackerell, and divers private MSS. belonging to certain of our most curious townsmen: the whole chronologically arranged and brought down to the present year—1812.

A.D. 1066. This year the French conquered England, and their commander, the Norman Bastard, seated himself on the English throne, which was also possessed by his descendants for many generations: Lynn of course felt the effects of this revolution and readily acceded to the new order of things. Stigand, archbishop of Canterbury, and his brother Ailmar, bishop of Elmham, were before the great men that bore sway here; but they were now ousted, and their power and possessions transferred by the Conqueror to two of his French adherents, Odo bishop of Baieux, in Normandy, his half brother, and Herfast, one of his own chaplains. Frenchmen then got possession of almost all the land in the kingdom, and they were the progenitors of most of our present noble families; so that our House of Lords is now in a great measure made up of their descendants.

1100. About this time St. Margaret’s church was built by bishop Herbert, who granted long indulgences to the people to commit all manner of sin, by way of encouragement or inducement to contribute towards the completion of the sacred edifice; as if he thought that to give people their full swing in all manner of iniquity, was the surest way to make them pious and liberal.About the same time was also built the Benedictine Priory, on the south side of the church.

1144. A Priory at Gaywood was founded in honour of Mary Magdalen, whence it is still called St. Mary Magdalen’s Hospital. The priory has long disappeared, and has been succeeded by the present Hospital. The founder’s name was Petrus Capellanus, who died in 1174.—see p. 530, &c.

1190. A terrible riot and commotion here, and in many other parts of the kingdom, excited, it seems, for the purpose of plundering and massacring the poor Jews, who were then settled in great numbers here and in many of our great towns. Of what then occurred here see vol. I. page 391 of this work.

1204. This town was constituted a Borough by royal charter, and its chief magistrate was at the same time, or soon after, denominated Mayor, see page 393. These honours were the royal gifts of king John, who repeatedly visited this town. His last visit was in the autumn of 1216. He soon after died at Newark, and was interred at Worcester, where his remains were discovered in 1797 in a state of remarkable preservation, considering that they had lain in the ground near 600 years.

1233. King Henry 3. granted his first charter to this town, in confirmation of that of his father, 28 years before.

1268. The same sovereign granted our corporation a second charter with more ample privileges, in consideration of the faithful and laudable service, and valiant assistance which our burgesses had rendered him in the late troubles of his kingdom.

1271. Lynn said to be then a fortified town: but it was probably so ever since, or very soon after it received its first charter, if not before.

1330. The queen dowager Isabel took up her residence at Rising Castle by Lynn, where she continued to reside afterwards as long as she lived, which was 28 years; in the course of which time her son Edw. III. his queen Philippa, and their son the black prince, repeatedly visited her there: and there can be no doubt of their having also frequently visited this town in the mean time.

1340. The king and queen were at Rising for some time, as appears by the account rolls of Adam de Reffham and John de Newland of Lynn, who sent his majesty at the same time a present of wine.—Previous to the king’s arrival the queen dowager sent her precept to the mayor of Lynn, for 8 carpenters to assist in making the necessary preparations.

1344. The king and his court were here for some time, as appears from certain letters which he sent from hence to the bishop of Norwich, then at Avignon, to be there delivered by him to the pope.

1349. A dreadful plague or pestilence, which had broke out in the north of Asia, made its destructive way soon into Europe, and now to England. It is said to have raged so much in some countries that scarcely a tenth part of the population escaped. It was called the black death, and is said to have swept away in Norfolk alone, 57,374 persons, from January to July, and 7000 of them in the town of Yarmouth. We cannot find how many perished then at Lynn, but the number was doubtless very great, as the disorder then raged terribly throughout the whole county. Most of the clergy seem to have then perished; hence we are told that 850 persons were, by the bishop of this diocese instituted and collated to benefices which had now become vacant—50,000 persons were carried off in London, and as many at Paris.—see p. 358 of this work, and Andr. 1. 372.

1369. An order was made that no Roadsman should charge more than 3s. 4d. for pylotting in any stranger’s ship from the channel to the town.

1380. The pope granted his license for christening in St. Nicholas’s chapel; which must of course, in the public estimation, have added greatly to the sanctity and dignity of the place.

1381. An ordinance made for the inhabitants of this town to merchandise.—Another account says—it was an order, or ordinance for settling of merchandise in this town—both seem too ambiguous and mysterious to make out. But it was in the reign of Richard 2. when many strange ordinances were made, and many vile measures pursued. Except his mother, and especially his queen, whom his subjects used to call the good queen Ann, [1190] there was about his court but little that could be deemed respectable. His favourite method of raising money was by a loan: a few instances of the respective sums he demanded of his subjects as they stand in the FÆdera, will shew the comparative wealth of Lynn, and other places at that period.—From London 10,000 marks: from York, Gloucester, Salisbury, and Lincoln, each 200 ditto.—From Cambridge, Canterbury, and Southampton, each 100 ditto.—From Bristol, 300 ditto.—From Norwich, 500 ditto.—From Lynn, 400 ditto.

1384. Our bishop Spencer went abroad at the head of a crusade, or army, of 50,000 foot and 2000 horse, to fight for pope Urban, against pope Clement: for there were then two heads of the catholic church, which made it a perfect monster. In this memorable crusade great numbers of Norfolk and Lynn people were doubtless enlisted.

1399. Sir William Sawtre, (minister of St. Margaret’s,) prosecuted here for Lollardism, (much the same with what we call protestantism,) and forced to recant; but relapsing soon after, he was taken up and burnt for his reputed heresy. He is called the English proto-matryr.—see more of him at p. 580, &c.1403. Two fierce factions sprung up here and disturbed the peace of the town for 30 years; at their heads were two aldermen of that time, Wentworth and Pettipas.—see p. 364, &c.

1417. Our mayor and aldermen and other merchants obtained from Henry V. a warrant to elect an alderman for Denmark and Norway: of which see more, p. 485.

1446. King Henry VI. came to Lynn and ordered the sword to be borne before the mayor.—Next year the sword was carried before the mayor for some time, and then before the bishop as formerly, the mayor following him.

1449. King Henry came to Lynn again, and ordered the sword to be carried before him. [1191]

1469, or 1470. About this time Edward IV. (put to flight by the great Earl of Warwick,) came to Lynn out of Lincolnshire; and in crossing the washes lost his baggage and money, according to some of our MS. accounts.—One account says that he arrived here on Michaelmas Day, 1470, and took shipping here for Flanders on the 2nd of October; so that his stay was only three or four days. At that time we are told that he pardoned Robert Gregory, Coney, and company, who had probably sided with the house of Lancaster. The Red Mount is said to be the place at which he then took up his abode; whose buildings must have been very extensive and capacious, as he is said to have been attended by a large retinue. It may also be supposed a place of strength, and the most so of any at Lynn, or a kind of fortress; for in a place of no other description would so wary and able a leader choose to trust himself for so many days and nights together, as he was then circumstanced.

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

1476. Walter Coney built the roof of the cross aisle of St. Margaret’s church: also the Trinity chapel there, which has been lately pulled down.

1482. A great law-suit between the town and the bishop about the right of holding the Court Leet. It does not appear which party gained the cause.

1493. A great fray between the inhabitants and the under sheriff of the county. But neither the occasion, not the result or consequence is mentioned.

1493. King Henry VII. his queen, his mother, and his eldest son Arthur, with a numerous retinue, visited this town; and were lodged and entertained at the Austin Convent, which then stood behind Mr. Rishton’s house, and partly it seems on the same site. It was doubtless a sumptuous edifice, and the most suitable for the accommodation of the royal visitors of any place then in this town.—see p. 513, &c.

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

1502. Thomas Thorisby built the south part of St Margaret’s church, the college, and the south gates. It was then his third mayoralty. It does not appear at what time he founded the Grammar School.

1506. The service suspended in St. Margaret’s church, and christenings performed in the Charnel house—the occasion not specified, or how the affair terminated.

1510. A suit between this town and Cambridge about the toll of Stirbitch Fair:—the precise ground of the dispute not stated. Nor is it clear who gained the cause.

1512. Parishioners of St. James’s rose against the Prior, for certain wrongs he had done them—such as cutting down the trees in the churchyard.

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

1519. Cardinal Wolsey came to Lynn in great state, and with a princely retinue of lords, knights, and gentlemen, as was his usual manner of travelling.

1520. Thomas Miller now became mayor for four years successively. In the meantime he had a law suit with the bishop for precedence, or the right of having the sword carried before him; and is said to have got the cause. A few years after his lordship lost most of his consequence here, being obliged by his sovereign to resign his temporal jurisdiction at Lynn to him, in exchange for the abbey of St. Bennet in Holme: at which time the name of the town was changed from Bishop’s Lynn to King’s Lynn.

1527, (or 1528, according to other accounts) Mary, queen dowager of France, and sister of Henry VIII, with the duke of Suffolk, her second husband, came to Lynn, and lodged (as Mackerell says,) at Mr. Coe’s place: but nothing further is said of Coe’s place, or yet of Coe himself.

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

1535. A Dutchman burnt in the market-place for reputed heresy; in other words, for presuming to think for himself, and acting conscientiously—which was deemed a crime in former times, and is so deemed still in some places.1536. The four great orders of Friars, together with the other religious orders, were here suppressed, which was followed by the dissolution of the convents and other religious houses, which diminished in a great measure the respectable appearance of the town.

1537. William Gisborough, a friar, was hanged here, and his father at Walsingham, for attempting to relive their order, in opposition to the royal decree.—Two marts or fairs were also then instituted here, one at the assumption, the other at the purification of the Blessed Virgin.

1540. The town much afflicted with hot burning agues and fluxes, on which account there was no mart kept.

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

1546. The Gilds and Chauntries suppressed, and their possessions seized by the king:—His majesty now also granted his licence for uniting South Lynn to the borough, it being before unconnected with it, and a separate jurisdiction. This however seems not to have been brought to full effect till about ten or eleven years after, in the reign of Philip and Mary.

1549. St. James’s church demolished, (all perhaps but the cross aisle which still remains; though there is said to be some further demolition of it in 1623.)—also what is called Kett’s rebellion now occurred: one body of the insurgents had a camp at Mousehold heath, by Norwich, and another body of them had a camp here on Rising Chase. Lord Willoughby in the meantime was governor of Lynn, which he secured against all the attempts of the insurgents to obtain possession of it.

1553. Lord Audley came to Lynn, and proclaimed Lady Jane Grey queen of England, the mayor and corporation concurring with him: but Jane’s party did not prevail—the voice of the nation being decidedly in favour of Mary.

1554. Trinity Hall underwent considerable alterations; the council room being divided from the Stone-hall; &c.—The South-gates then also covered with lead.

1555. A whale caught near this town—one account calls it a small whale, and another calls it an enormous whale: both describe, it as no less than 40 feet long.

1556. The pipes taken up, which formerly supplied the Austin Convent with water from Wootton common. That convent being dissolved it no longer wanted that supply. But it shews how well provided it was in its day.

1558. The plague was in the town, and carried off great numbers of the inhabitants: among them the mayor and four aldermen—one account says, the whole five were mayors successively, in the course of that year; in which case five mayors must have died here in the course of the year.1559. Rood-Lofts and Images taken down, the ground at the east end of the churches levelled with the other parts, and the windows furnished with glass, instead of wooden shutters.

1560. Several persons came to Lynn by order of the privy council, to take the state of St. James’s Church, but were opposed by the corporation: of the strict correctness of which some doubt may be entertained.

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

1562. Sir Nic. Le Strange entered into a law-suit against Lynn, for the house of Corpus Christi: (the hall, we suppose, belonging to the late Gild of that name,) but nothing is said of the ground of the action, or how it terminated.

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

1566. Chimes first set up in St. Margaret’s, which played a different tune each day of the week.

1567. St. Margaret’s Spire, with divers little crosses and ornaments on different parts of the church, shot down by a Dutch ship that lay then in the harbour. Which seems rather a blind and queer kind of a tale.

1568. Popish vestments and relics brought from St. John’s and Tilney, and burnt in the market place.

1569. Marshland drowned, to the great loss and damage of the inhabitants, many of whom were forced to leave their houses, and glad to save their lives in boats which came to their assistance.

1570. Monday and Tuesday, the 2nd. and 3rd. of October, Marshland and Wiggenhale overflowed with salt water, so that from Old Lynn to Mawdlin bridge there were not left ten roods of the bank whole and firm, to the great damage of the whole country, (see p. 116.)—Quere, If this flood and the preceding were not the same: some careless writer of memoranda antedating it under 1569?—another account seems to have post-dated it under 1570.

1574 or 1575. Earthquake and plague in this town. Also in the latter year Henry Wodehouse, vice admiral of Norfolk, seized two fly-boats here by process, which the mayor refused to serve, and thereby brought great trouble on himself and several others.—In one MS. the admiral is called Sir Thomas Wodehouse.

1576. Commissioners of Sewers cut off the water from Sechy river, which worked the town mill, which caused great loss; no less than 1000 marks having been laid out to bring the water hither.

The Queen about this time coming into Norfolk, was presented by our corporation with a rich purse, finely wrought and adorned with pearl and gold, containing 100 old angels of gold: the whole valued at 200l.

1579. The town-ditches from the South-gate to Kettle-mills scoured, and the walls also repaired and cast with black mortar.

1581. That part of St. James’s church that had not been demolished repaired, and fitted up for a workhouse, to employ the poor in the manufacture of Bays; which not found to answer the cost, was afterwards given up.—St. Nicholas’ also was then repaired at considerable expense.

1582. Ringing having been here for some time disused, certain young fellows, attempting to revive it, were opposed by divers of the aldermen, which occasioned no small disturbance and the spending of a great deal of money. But it is not said in what way it was spent, or how the affair ended.

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

1584. Lynn again visited by the Plague; on which account the mart was removed from Damgate to the Tuesday market-place; where it has been kept ever since.

1585. The stone-bridge (High Bridge) taken down, and two arches of brick added to it. The drain in Webster’s row, (Broad Street) also vaulted over with brick.

1586. The manufacture of Bays having failed, divers poor people were now employed at the Work-house in dressing hemp and making strings and tows for the fishermen.

The stone bridge, or High Bridge, was now also new built: that is, as we presume, the houses on each side, which had been pulled down: for the new arches had been built the year before.

1587. The pinnacle or top part of St. James’s steeple taken down, and the remaining part made flat and covered with tiles.—Sir Robert Southwell, admiral of Norfolk, with several commissioners and justices held a court of admiralty at Lynn, at which sixteen pirates were condemned, most of whom were executed at Gannock.

This year also John Wanker’s wife and the widow Porker, were both carted here for whoredom, a crime which appears to have been then greatly discountenanced in this town; so that those found guilty of it were put in a cart, or fastened to its tail, and driven or dawn, through the whole town, as spectacles of detestation. The business is now managed differently.

1588. The memorable Feast of Reconciliation, which far excelled all our other Lynn Feasts, was this year instituted. It was a meeting of the mayor, some of the aldermen, common council-men, and the clergy, held the first Monday in the month, to check discord, reconcile differences, and decide all manner of controversies among the inhabitants. It was well calculated to do good, and did much good, no doubt, while it was duly attended to; but is become now as a tale that is told, and seems like other feasts to be now fast passing towards oblivion.—This year Lynn is also said to have furnished a pinnace to oppose the dreaded Spanish Armada.

1589. Five sail of ships from this town formed part of the squadron of Drake and Norris in their expedition against Spain; and it is said they returned home safe without any loss.

1590. One Margaret Read burnt here for Witchcraft—a reputed crime deemed in those days as atrocious as murder, if not much more so. The history of Lynn is sadly stained and disgraced with accounts of these executions, or rather legal murders committed by the magistrates.—The same year the foundation of the South-gate was secured from the danger of being undermined by water.

1594. A violent storm or tempest, which began September the twenty-first and lasted till the twenty-fourth.

1596. A new wind-mill erected at Gannock—occasioned probably by the difficulty of obtaining a sufficient supply of water to work the town water-mill.

1597. The great Mill-dyke from Sayer’s Marsh new cast. But the Mill afterwards seems to have been in general but ill supplied with water. It was at last given up, after having been the grist mill of the town time immemorial. It stood by the Lancastrian school and new bridge. The lane below took from it the name of Mill-lane.—Great sickness and mortality in the town this year; particularly from March to July, when 320 persons are said to have been buried in St. James’s church yard.—Other accounts place this mortality in the following year.

1598. One Elizabeth Housegoe executed for Witchcraft.—Another legal, but most foul murder committed by Lynn magistrates.—One MS. mentions two men of war, as fitted out this year, at the expense of this town and Yarmouth.

1602. A severe shock of an Earthquake felt here on Christmas Eve.—also the Windmill removed from the South gates to Kettle-mills: but not by the earthquake, we suppose.

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

1605. King James’s Charter was this year obtained, which greatly augmented the privileges of the corporation; particularly in exempting them from the jurisdiction of the Lord High Admiral, and investing the mayor and burgesses with that power within this borough and its liberties. This Charter is long and its grants most ample.

The town-clerk, Vallenger, also this year built the South Lynn Almshouses, for four poor men. (see p. 1133, 1160, and 1185.) A great fire broke out in High street, in which a man and his wife and family perished. The Cistern at Kettle mills was made.

1606. A vessel of one hundred tons overthrown in this haven, in February, and not recovered till April.

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

1616. One Mary Smith executed here for Witchcraft on the twelfth of January:—one account says that she was burnt, and another that she was hanged; but all may safely say she was murdered. Alexander Roberts, one of the Lynn clergy, is said to have given an account of her execution, in a treatise he published that year on Witchcraft.

1617. St. Nicholas’s Library founded by the mayor and burgesses.—One Dr. Pearse gave 1000l. to the corporation, they to pay for it 5 per cent. interest; but they disclaimed and would not accept it. (see Joseph Cooper’s book, and Hall books No. 7,)—It is not said how the interest was to be applied.

1620. Two large fishes cast here on shore, one thirty feet long, and the other eighteen yards; but Mackerell is loath to believe the latter to be so large, and thinks it could be only eighteen feet.—The old custom-house now pulled down and rebuilt.—eight or nine ships driven up to St. Germans, and several sunk at the Ball, so as not to be seen at low water or dead neap. (J. Cooper’s MS.)

1621. A man drawn up by the rope of St. Margaret’s great bell and killed.—The people prohibited going to Gaywood Fair; but the reason not told.

1623. St. James’s church underwent additional demolition: one account says, that it was now “entirety pulled down,” which must be a mistake, as the cross aisle is still standing, and forms a principal part of the present workhouse.

1626. St. Ann’s Fort erected, and furnished with a number of great guns from the Tower. The house adjoining, and the piazza, or covered walk, supposed to have been erected about the same time.

1628. Chimes said to be now first set up in St. Margaret’s: but it seems to be a mistake, as we had heard of chimes there many years before, (see under 1566.) Chimes are also said to be now first set up at St. Nicholas’s.—On the 20th. December this year, the four varlets, or sergeants at mace being absent from the mayor, his worship caused them to be cried in different parts of the town:—what success attended this curious experiment, or whether his worship ever found his lost or strayed sergeants, does not appear.

1629. The Bedehouse repaired, and a pipe laid to it conveying thither St. Margaret’s water.—Writing school established in the chamber over the Butcher’s shambles, in Saturday market.—Those shambles furnished with a weighing stool to weigh children. But it seems an odd idea, to have children taken to the butcher’s shambles, to be weighed like hogs or sheep.

1630. April 29. The White Friars steeple, or tower of the Carmelite Convent in South Lynn, fell with a tremendous crash.—Draining of Paradise now took place, which seems to have been before in a hoggish state—The great muck-hill, at the East-gate, spread over St. Catharine’s ground, close by.—One Beane, a tailor, indicted for ravishing his maid, but got off, on paying a fine of 50l.

1631. A high tide, overflowing the lands about the town, deprived it of fresh water for a long time.

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

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

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

1636. The Plague again in this town; on which account sheds or pest-houses were erected under the town walls for the diseased, where about 200 persons are said to have died.—Also 4th. November, a terrible storm here; fourteen sail of ships lost in the harbour, and all hands perished, according to one account.

1637. An order arrived from the archbishop, for the ground at the East end of the churches to be raised, railed in, with steps to ascend thither, and the communion tables, or alters to be there placed. This was one of Laud’s high-church projects, and one of those that increased the public discontents, and hastened his and his sovereign’s downfal.—The town this year assessed 200l. towards building a ship of war.—[Three years before, the town, according to one account, was also assessed 1192l. towards building a ship of war, of 800 tons, and 260 men.] Twelve Grampuses here cast on shore, seventeen, eighteen, and nineteen feet long.

1638. The town store of gunpowder lodged in the Red Mount. Two weekly foot-posts appointed for London: to go by turns, and have 30s. a year for their wages.—The water-rent of a Brewhouse and Malthouse fixed at 5l. a year, and of a Brew-house only at 3l.

1639. Thomas Toll, mayor elect, being very ill on Michaelmas day, had the oaths administered to him in bed, at his own house.

1640. March 13. The sheriff’s precept arrived for the election of two members for this borough, to serve in the parliament summoned to meet at Westminster on the 15th of the following month; when Messrs. Doughty and Gurlyn, the two senior aldermen, were chosen, with an allowance of five shilling a day while they attended their duty in the senate.—12 October about 3 weeks before the meeting of the Long Parliament, the mayor, William Doughty, apprised the Hall of two Letters just received from the Earl of Arundell, one to the mayor, aldermen, and burgesses, the other to the mayor himself, to induce them to return certain persons of his nominating and recommending to the said parliament. On which it was unanimously agreed and resolved, not to choose any other burgesses to serve in parliament but such as are resident and inhabitants within the corporation or borough. Messrs. Thomas Toll and John Percivall, two of the alderman, were accordingly chosen as representatives of Lynn, in that memorable parliament: and they were the first ever elected here by the voice of the freemen of large—the Hall only, or some part of it, being till now the only and sole electors of our parliamentary representatives. [Some, perhaps will be ready to say, that the case is not much otherwise, even at present.]

1641. A sword-fish of an uncommon size came up to the town and was taken. The town now also began to be fortified, and seven pieces of brass ordnance or cannon were sent hither from London. Everything, in short, both here and throughout the kingdom, was fast advancing towards the great crisis which the nation soon after experienced. [How much that period resembled the present, may deserve some consideration.]

1642. The three gates (the East, the South, and Gannock,) furnished with draw-bridges.—Captain Sherwood, of Norwich, with a troop of dragoons appeared before the town, and came close under St. Catharine’s wall by the East Gate, demanding entrance, which the mayor and townsmen refused: the gate being shut; and bridge drawn. The Earl of Manchester soon after appeared with a strong force, and commenced the siege of the town on the 28th of August, and on the 16th of the following month the town surrendered to him, with the loss of only four men killed, and a few wounded. According to the terms of capitulation every foot soldier of his had 10s. paid him, and every foot officer a fortnight’s pay; which, according to Mackerell, amounted to 3200l.—We are told that our principal Lynn commanders or warriors on this occasion were Sir Horace Townshend, Captain Kirby, Capt. Atkin, Capt. Morse, Capt. Gurling, Capt. Wharton, Capt. Brady, Capt. Davy, Capt. Marsh, and Lieut. Porter:—all very loyal and royal, no doubt, but ingloriously conquered by their jacobinic and democratic assailants. During this memorable siege, in the afternoon of Sunday, September 3, an eighteen-pounder from a battery on the west side of the river entered St. Margaret’s church at the west window in sermon-time, took off a great part of one of the pillars, and terribly frightened the whole congregation, but no body was materially hurt—all left the church in the utmost terror and confusion. [Of these matters, and subsequent proceedings and regulations here, see Part IV. Chap. IV. p. 754, &c.]

October 9. same year (1642) there was an order of the Hall, (or of the new constituted authorities,) that the Charters should be read by the Town-Clerk, in English, “that those of that body might the better understand what then were sworn to maintain.”—We cannot discover that any thing of the kind was ever thought of here, but at this time of republican predominance: at all other times the members of the Hall, as well as the freemen at large, were called upon to swear to maintain certain unknown rights—a something they knew not what.—Nineteen out of twenty, perhaps, of our present freemen have been thus solemnly sworn, which must render those freemen the most disreputable and contemptible part of our whole population: for what can degrade any man more than to submit to swear what he does not understand?

1643. January 2. Parliament ordered that the mayor, aldermen, and common council of Lynn, should pay and allow their two representatives, out of the town stock, as large an allowance per diem as they had used to pay any of their aldermen that had represented that town in parliament.—The corporation would fain have evaded this expense—partly on the plea, that the whole body of freemen had a voice in the election of these two members, and not the Hall alone, as usual; and therefore that this payment should not rest solely on the latter. But their chief plea was poverty, and having no town stock. It was however not admitted, and our corporation at last agreed to pay their two representatives 5s. a day during their attendance in parliament.

March 20. Oliver Cromwell (then called Col. Cromwell) visited this town, and was entertained here at the expense of the corporation. [1200]—The curious painted glass, in the windows of St. Margaret’s church, taken down this year, and replaced with plain glass.

1644. Ships coming hither from places infected with the plague obliged to observe quarantine fourteen days, one half in the roads and the other in White Friar’s Fleet—Col. Valentine Wauton was now governor, and Miles Corbet recorder of Lynn—both of whom sat afterwards as judges at the king’s trial, and finally suffered among the condemned regicides.

1645. In February Sir Thomas Fairfax visited Lynn, and was entertained at the expense of the corporation.—Dorothy Lee and Grace Wright were also murdered here legally by the magistrates; or, in other words, hanged for witchcraft.—The plague visited the town again this year.—Col. Hobart became now governor, and Guybon Goddard deputy recorder of Lynn.

1646. The eleventh of May this year was rendered not a little conspicuous among our memorable days, by a most curious resolution of the Hall, expressed as follows in our volume of extracts—“It is this day ordered that alderman Th. Rivett be requested to send for Mr. Hopkins the Witch-Discoverer to come to Lynn, and his charges and recompense to be borne by the town.”—This year also the charge of the Town Records was committed to one Ticket Browne, who had been turned out for erasing and falsifying them, thirteen years before.—The town having suffered much by means of Lord Paulet, parliament ordered reparation to be made out of his estate.—see p. 761.

1648. A woman was hanged here, for killing her child: Her name supposed to be Rose Warne, of whose penitent death Mr. Horn, then vicar of South Lynn, published an account.—The ruinous state of the town being now represented to parliament, they voted “2000 oaks for reparation thereof.” see p. 761.

1649. Lease of three Ferry-rights granted to John Bird, at 10l. per annum, and a brace of well-fatted Swans to the mayor.

1650. An insurrection of royalists now took place in this county, and the Lynn garrison employed in its suppression.—One Major Saul was then taken and hanged here in the Tuesday Market-place, see p. 769.—Dorothy Floyd (or Lloyd,) murdered by our magistrates: (that is, hanged for witchcraft:)—one of the blessed effects, we may suppose, of Hopkins the witchfinder’s late visit.—October 16. Shops ordered to be shut up every Thursday during Lecture-time, to the end that people and their servants might attend the hearing the word of God—This order was issued by the very people who had sent for the witchfinder; so that we cannot attach much merit to it.

1651. Lynn petitioned parliament against the erection of Denver Sluice, which was probably no injudicious step.

1652. The Lynn garrison dissolved.

1653. One Say hanged here for killing her husband—one account says it was by poison.—The South gate was now let to Henry Bloy at 1l. 5s. a year, and the East gate to James Browne at 1l. 15s. which shews that the town had then more intercourse with the country by the East than by the South gate.—There being before this year only six corn meters, but they were now increased to ten.

1654. The town obtained a very advantageous charter from the Protector, of which we have not been able to get sight of any copy or transcript. It was probably destroyed at the restoration.

1655. Lynn now again garrisoned.1656. The generals Rippon and Desborow elected members for this town, and their charges (we suppose 5s. per diem) ordered to be paid by the corporation.—St. George’s Hall now converted into an Exchange.

1657. Front of the Free-School-Master’s house rebuilt at the charge of the corporation—Rent of the two gates advanced from 1l. 5s. and 1l. 15s. to 15l. a year, which seems to indicate the thriving state of the town during the protectorate.—During this and some of the preceding years, a mighty stir was made here for the suppression of vice, and especially of profane swearing, excessive drinking, and tippling, which greatly affected the publicans, or ale-house-keepers, who were then very heavily fined, which occasioned great discontents and complaints on their part and that of their customers.—The money thus raised said to be applied towards paving and improving the town. Of that stir see pp. 773, &c.—The mayor now agreed to take forty shillings instead of two fatted swans from the Ferry-man.

1658. St. James’s church yard became the parish being-ground, there being no longer any room left for burying in St. Margaret’s churchyard.—One Dorothy Warden, alias Billins hanged for killing her child.—Oliver died, and was succeeded in the Protectorate by his son Richard, to whom an Address was voted by this corporation on the 8th of October.

1659. Jan. 3. The right of electing burgesses or members of parliament determined to be in the Hall, and not in the freemen at large: the two members, Toll and Lloyd were accordingly now elected by the Hall.—Jan. 14. Ordered that the chamberlain take of all townsmen who build Booths at the Mart, 6d. and of strangers 10d. a foot for their ground.

1660. April 13. The freemen at large claiming again, rather clamorously, a voice at the election of burgesses, the Hall thought proper to give way; Hare and Walpole were accordingly elected by the freemen at large.—May 29, 300 Young maids, dressed all in white, (200 of them at the expense of two wealthy individuals,) paraded through the principal streets, by way of joy and triumph for the king’s restoration, see p. 797.—Divine service now performed at St. Margaret’s, in summer at 5, and in winter at 6 o’clock in the morning, which had not been the case for the last ten years.

1661. Alderman Keeling expelled the Hall for non-residence.—Rent of South-gate tolls lowered from 15l. to 5l. a year.

1662. An impost of 1s. per chalder laid on all coals brought by strangers, and applied to the relief of the Poor, who were here then very numerous and much distressed, notwithstanding, the blessed restoration.

1663. Several Friends or Quakers were now also imprisoned here for nonconformity, which shews how friendly the restoration proved to liberty of conscience.—“Many musters and shews (says Mackerell,) were performed by the Trained Bands, who took the oaths of allegiance and supremacy to the king with all imaginable chearfulness.”—Tolls of the East gate let for one year at 11l.

1664. Price of coals advanced this year from 17s. to 30s. and upwards.—Lord Townshend elected lord high steward.

1665. The plague again this year visited Lynn and committed great ravages; on which account the gates were shut and even the mackerell carts not suffered to enter.

1666. Plague continued and no Mart kept—markets also discontinued, and all communication with the country suspended.

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

1670. Duke of Richmond and lord Townshend entertained here at the expense of the Hall—great fear here of a Quo-warranto for issuing farthing tokens—Worsted Weavers petition parliament to have a Dyer and Calender settled here.—Proclamation relating to decayed houses: [to be seized by the corporation unless timely repaired.]

1671. August 11. Sir Robert Steward apprizes the corporation of the king’s intention to visit Lynn in the course of the following month: 100l. is therefore ordered to be paid into the Chamberlain’s hands to provide for that occasion. Provision was accordingly made, but his said majesty did not come. Nov. 10. The whole banquet provided for the king, voted to the mayor for the sum of 10l.

1672. Address to his majesty acknowledging his grace and favour in pardoning the corporation for coining farthings.—Duke of Ormond, &c. entertained here at the expense of the Hall.

1673. Giles Alden, common council-man expelled the Hall for non-residence or frequent absence.

1676. William Pearson hanged here for shop lifting.—Mr. Helcote laid the foundation of Broad-street Almshouse, which was next year completed by Framingham.

1677. One John Swift, a shop-breaker, hanged.

1678. Application made by the Hall to Thomas Goddard Esq. son of the late Recorder, Guybon Goddard, for his father’s MS. Collections relating to the antiquities of this town—but it is supposed without success:—20 guineas however were offered for them.—The elder Turner began now to acquire consequence here, being, as Mackerell says, common council-man, mayor-elect, parliament-man, and captain of the Trained Bands, all in the space of two years.

1679. The corporation signified their intention, not to have any in future to represent the town, in parliament, but some two of their own townsmen.—Wm. Basset, M.D. resigned his aldermanship; deeming its duties incompatible with those of his medical profession. [What would he have thought had he gone out of town to live?]—One John Page, an old offender, was hanged here this year: one account says, it was for breaking open several shops.

On the 3rd of July this year, there was a great fire at Market-Dereham, which burnt a great part of that town, and reduced the sufferers to great distress; which Lynn affected deeply to commiserate, and a collection was made here for them, amounting in all, if we are not mistaken, to 110l. but it ought surely to have been more, considering the state of the case, and that the aldermen went about to collect through their different wards:—(which appears from the book of Extracts so often referred to)

1680. Sir Henry Hobart and Sir Taylor returned burgesses for this town.—A grampus was taken 22 feet long and 7 feet deep.—Mackerell says, that St James’s church began now to be made a spinning-school for the collectioner’s children; but we know not what he meant by Collectioner.

1681. The mart this year kept in Common Stath yard. Nov. 4. a committee appointed to report if the said yard was convenient for keeping the mart there in future—[it probably did not appear to them a convenient place for that purpose, so that the mart was kept there but one year.]

1682. The mayor, with several aldermen and common council-men met the king at Newmarket, and there presented an Address to him.—A committee this year appointed for erecting a public workhouse: accordingly we find that St. James’s church was now fitted up for that purpose.—Two new May-poles were also this year set up in the town; one in the Market place and the other at the Fort.

1683. Lord Mowbray, Earl of Arundell, Lord Lieutenant of the county, entertained at the public charge.—The governor and guardians of the workhouse incorporated, under the dignified names of Master and Brethren of St. James’s Hospital.

1684. The Earl of Arundell, Lord Lieutenant of the County, and now Duke of Norfolk, again entertained here at the public charge.—New altar-piece set up at the church, which cost near 200l.—Our Charters were now also surrendered to the king, who on that occasion conferred on the two aldermen, Turner and Taylor, the honour and dignity of knighthood.—On the 18th. of August this year it was ordered at the Hall, that every new-elected alderman, in lieu of the customary treat, should pay 10l. and a common-council-man 20 nobles, for the benefit of the new work-house; which was continued above 40 years.—(see under 1725)—None now admitted to their freedom unless they had taken the sacrament within the preceding year.

1685. Febr. 10. James the second proclaimed, and an address to him agreed upon, four days after—Nov. 9. The may-pole in the market place taken down to be replaced by the king’s statue.—The two aldermen Turner and Taylor elected members for the town.—Petition transmitted and recommended to them concerning the decay of the stocking trade here by the introduction of weaving, instead of knitting. See more about it under 1690.

1686. April 13. The anniversary of their majesties coronation kept here with no small pomp and parade; and the king’s statue set up at the same time with extravagant rejoicings, in the market place, where the may-pole had formerly stood.

1687. This town presented a very loyal address to his majesty, agreed upon 19th. September.—In November Lord Cornbury and others visited Lyon and were entertained at the public charge.

1688. Sunday 29th. of January being appointed a day of Thanksgiving for the queen’s pregnancy, was kept here with wonderful solemnity: the mayor and whole corporation, in their formalities, attended at morning and evening service, to render thanks to Almighty God for so signal a blessing; and after evening service they repaired to the custom-house to drink the king’s health with a bonefire.

29th. of June another thanksgiving day was kept here, for the queen’s delivery and birth of the prince.—The king was also now loyally addressed.—Such was the loyalty and piety of our ancestors in the reign of James the second.—His majesty after seizing the charters, and removing several members of the Hall, and replacing them with others whom he thought better of, had his pious projects, and paternal plans and purposes suddenly interrupted and frustrated, by the arrival of the Prince of Orange on the 5th. of November—which brought on the Revolution.

1689. The convention parliament, having met on the 22d. of January, declared the throne abdicated, and offered the same to the prince and princess of Orange, which they soon agreed to accept; and they were crowned on the 8th. of April.—On the 27th. of September the Fort guns at St. Ann’s, which had been removed to Hull, were returned, and placed in their former situation.

1690. In our extracts from the Hall books, the following passage occurs, under the date of Jan. 17th.—“On Petition of the Hosiers of this town in behalf of the poor, against the new invention of weaving worstead hose, whereby many thousands of poor are destitute of employment. It is this day ordered and agreed that a Petition from this house (the Hall,) to the honourable House of Commons, representing that grievance, now read, to be sealed with the common seal of this Burgh.”

Aug. 29. Henry Framingham, now chosen mayor, remitted the usual fee of 100l. In other respects he was an unfeeling, intolerant being, as appears by the shameful persecution that was carried on here during his mayoralty, and that of his immediate successor, against one of the dissenting ministers and his congregations—see p. 861, &c.1691. Dec. 21. Benjamin Holly’s fine of 30l. for declining the mayoralty mitigated to 21l.

1692. March 13. Fishing in Gaywood river, as far as the double bridge, declared to be the right of the corporation.

1693. King John’s cop repaired at the expense of 12l. 10s.

1694. Great inconvenience having arisen of late from large ships occupying Dowshill, Purfleet, Mill, and Whitefriars Fleets, to the exclusion of Keels, Barges, Boats, Lighters and other open vessels, whereby many of the latter, left exposed to the violence of the flood and ebb tides were damaged or lost.—the mayor, aldermen, and common council, on the 29th. of January this year, ordered that no person thenceforth do lay, or suffer to be laid, any vessel of the burden of 20 tons or upwards, in any of those Fleets, otherwise than ancient and accustomed ship seats, &c. under the penalty of 3s. 4d. for every tide they did as offend—the mayor reserving the power of permission on extraordinary occasions.—4th. June, Meter’s pay fixed at one penny each chalder of coals of freemen, and two pence of strangers; and on tonnage goods, a pence a ton of freemen, and 4 pence of strangers.

1695. March 11. The Hall signed an address to his majesty, in the feature of an association, to stand by and assist him against all his enemies.

1696. Outgoings or expences in maintaining the water-works for the last ten years exceeded the income by 288l. 13s. 6d.—The expenditure being 1427l. 7s. 8d. and income 1338l. 14s. 2d.

200 sail of Colliers and coasters, in running for Lynn deeps in a storm, were all wrecked, and near 1000 persons perished. (Norfolk Remem.) Scarcity of coals, and price greatly advanced.

1697. The Hall gained a cause in a trial with Leonard Hutton, before Lord Chief Justice Holt.—They also petition parliament for the removal of the dam and sluice near Salter’s Load, and preserving of navigation.—The Bagges, Brownes, and Scarlets, now begin to make some figure here.

1698. Pictures of Edward VI. and James I. presented to the Hall by alderman Robinson.—Juggard succeeds Haslewood as Lecturer.

1699. John Cary succeeds, Osborne as writing master, and is to teach 6 poor boys gratis, and to instruct all the children in the Church Catechism.—This is the first prominence of the Carys.—A ship now sent to Norway for pump-wood, or timber for water-pipes, at the adventure and charge of the mayor and burgesses.

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

1701. The Head Porters and Meters being convicted of bribery and defrauding the king of his dues, were all discharged; but about a month after some of them were restored, by giving bond with one security in 20l.—August 29. the elder Pyle appointed Lecturer.—Nov. 24. Noblemen, knights, esquires, and clergymen exempted from tolls here.

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

1703. Sept. 24. The Boale, or World’s End, with the houses thereon, and the rights and duties attached to the same, bought of Robert Elsden, by the corporation, for 130l. and 20l. more at the end of five years from that date, (see p. 873)—Towards the latter end of November this year, happened that dreadful national calamity commonly distinguished by the name of the great storm, of whose effects here, see p. 874.

1704. The gloom of the former year succeeded and dissipated by the triumphs of Marlborough at Blenheim, which occasioned great rejoicings throughout the kingdom, of which Lynn largely participated, as appears by its address to the throne, see p. 874.

1705. The gentlemen of the counties of Bedford and Huntingdon prefer a serious charge of arbitrary and exorbitant exactions, or extortion against this corporation, see p. 879.

1708. Lynn harbour said to be now in a most wretched and alarming state, see 888.—In the course of this year also, according to one of our MS. accounts, two children were hanged here for felony, one eleven, and the other only seven years of age.

1714. Dr. Thurlin’s library deposited in St. Margaret’s church, in a commodious place fitted up for its reception, to which the old church library was at the same time removed: a faculty being obtained from the bishop.—The same year the first commemoration sermon for Framingham was preached at St. Nicholas’s, by Mr. Pyle, for which he had 20s. and 10s. more for reading the Will—which, are still continued.

1715. The first rebellion in behalf of the Pretender broke out. See p. 894.

1719. January 26. Ordered that none be admitted into Gaywood Hospital under 60 years old.

1720. John Cary junior (father of our late alderman of that name) elected master of the Writing-School—the aldermen Berney and Scarlet being then Governors and Inspectors of the same.

1721. Our corporation now, apprehensive of losing the navigation of the Cambridge river, (from the representation of a Mr. Stafford of Denver,) which they thought proper to communicate to the corporation of Adventurers. The result not stated.

1723. Two new galleries erected in St. Margaret’s church, on the sides of the organ loft; with projections for two particular families.—This year (or during the mayoralty of William Allen, which commenced at Michaelmas,) Thomas German (says one MS.) was hanged here for burglary, on the gallows out of the South Gates—Cooper’s MS. calls him Jarmey, in a memorandum which reads thus—“1723: A night watch set up for all the year, and the king’s watch dropt here, being one Jarmey, who broke into several houses, and was hanged for the same out of the South Gates.”—The same MS. referring to the same year, has this passage—“A great fleet of ships lost on Christmas day; Mr. Vinkerson’s ship right against West Lynn church, laden with coals.”—Dr. Browne this year gave great offence to the Hall and especially the mayor—of which see p. 900.

1724. The chapel chimes, which formerly played but one tune, were this year altered, and made to play several tunes.

1725. Ever since 1682 it was customary for each alderman upon his election to give 10l. and each common-council-man 6l. 13s. 6d. towards the Workhouse: but this year Mr. Thomas Allen, being chosen alderman, refused to comply with this custom, and thereby occasioned the cessation of those laudable donations. (Cooper’s MS.)—From the book of Extracts it seems it was in 1726 Mr. T. A. became an alderman.—The harbour now in a most wretched state, see p. 901.—And this year 1725 (if we are not mistaken, for the last figure is not very plain) Cooper’s MS. mentions a great tide, which happened on the 8th. of March, and came into a Warehouse in Puddin Lane, where was a quantity of unslaked lime, which being wetted became so hot as to set some deals that lay there on fire, so as to endanger the firing of the town. He seems indeed to say that it was a piece of iron heated by the quick lime which set the deals on fire.

1726. Henry Southwell, a freeman, charged by the corporation (unjustly it seems) with having violated his oath of freedom, and threatened with disfranchisement.

1727. The mayor, Mr. Thomas Allen issued an order to the barbers, to prohibit them to shave on Sundays—of which see p. 910.—February 3rd. this year the above Henry Southwell was disfranchised.

1728. The decree of disfranchisement against Mr. Southwell was rescinded On the 29th. of April this year; of which see further at p. 902, and 3.—Of this year’s mayor, Goodwin, and his successor Taylor, see pages 910 and 11.

1730. April 6. Our corporation made a remonstrance to the corporation of the Bedford Level against repairing Denver Sluice: which was probably very right.

1731. Great complaints of the decrease of trade &c. here this year. But among the occurrences of this period the most deplorable and shocking was the murder of Ann Wright, a publican, by one George Smith, who had been let into the house in the dead of the night by the servant, Mary Taylor, for which she was burnt at a stake in the Tuesday market-place, and the man was hanged on a gallows, 17 yards distant, on Thursday the 1st. of April, see p. 912 and 914.

1738. Law-suit between the corporation and alderman Thomas Allen, who was charged with attempting to evade the customary payment of 1d. per quarter for corn sold by him to unfreemen. See p. 918.

1741. On the 9th of September a violent hurricane which blew down the spires of St. Margaret’s and St. Nicholas’s and did immense damage all about the country.—St. Margaret’s spire falling on the body of the church demolished a great part of it—the rebuilding began in 1742, and was completed in 1747.—see pp. 919, 20, 21.

1742. State of the harbour growing still worse, an application to parliament on that occasion was made the latter part of this year: see p. 922, &c.

1745. The second rebellion in behalf of the Pretender commenced: of its effects at Lynn, see p. 926, &c. also pp. 1073, and 4.

1747. A contested Election this year between Turner and Folkes; and the most violent perhaps ever witnessed in Lynn: for the particulars see p. 947 to 952.—A great many here now made free gratis, see p. 931.

1749. Charles Holditch executed for burglary, see the page last referred to.

1751. William Chaplain, for the murder of Mary Gafferson, was hanged in chains on a gibbet upon South Lynn Common, see p. 932.

1753. The New Walks laid out and the trees planted.—Also the Tuesday Market-place new paved.—One Jumper condemned for the murder of Jones, was afterwards reprieved and transported for life.

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

1755. Certain profitable appointments attached to our Recordership, and the mayor’s annual salary settled at 100l.—see 933, and 4.

1759. The West Norfolk militia reviewed on Sayer’s Marsh, by the Earl of Orford, previous to their being called out on actual service.

1760. Mayor secured from any charges incurred through neglects of gaoler and serjeants.—October 29. the king died in his 77th. year. In his reign Methodism sprung up in these kingdoms.—see p. 934, 5, etc.—The present inglorious era and disastrous reign now commenced.

1761. The tower of All Saints or South Lynn church fell down, to rise no more. See p. 943.—About the same time a large whale was taken here near Darsingham, 56 feet 9 inches long, and 34 feet 4 inches in girth, see p. 944.—A man and his wife transported, he for 7, she for 14 years, the cause not noted.1763. December 2. A dreadful high wind and tide here, which did great damage among the shipping, many of which were wrecked on the coast: cattle and sheep also in vast numbers were drowned in Marshland, and about Snettisham, &c.

1764. The town served a vile trick by the mayor, which they seem to have submitted to very tamely, see 945.

1765. A shocking murder committed here by one Rudderham.—See 945, and 6.

1766. January 27. Rudderham hanged here for the above murder of Leonard Wilson, near the Rope Walk.

1768. A great contested election here between Turner and Molineux. See 946.

1769. The corporation had a great law-suit with Mr. Carr, about the fleet on both sides of Littleport-bridge. Of this affair see p. 952.—Two men in a boat carried away by the strong current of a land-flood on the 10th of April to sea, and picked up there and brought home on 19th.

1770. Our corporation suddenly became mighty patriots and violent lovers of liberty.—see 953.—Pilling hanged here for a rape.

1771. Wilkes visited Lynn, to the no small joy of our patriotic corporation, who entertained him sumptuously and conferred on him the freedom of this ancient borough. See 954.—Different temper of the town when Thelwall, another great patriot, visited it above 20 years after. Ibid.

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

1779. On new-years day there was a strong gale and a very extraordinary tide, the highest known here in the memory of man; which overflowed and demolished the sea banks in many places, and did vast damage in and about this town.—The Lynn armed association was also formed in the course of this year, under the command of Captain Thames Day—and continued embodied till 1785. See 958.

1782. A woman, named Howard, stood here in the pillory—we know not for what crime.—Towards the close of this year Beeton robbed the mail; and he was executed the 17th of the following February. See 960.

1783. Isaac Levi, a Jew lad, robbed, by one Robert Fox, on the road between Lynn and West Winch, and left apparently dead; for which Fox was hanged, 7th. of September, on Hardwick common.

1784. Another contested election here, when Mr. Fountaine was one of the candidates, but was unsuccessful.—See 961.

1785. November 5. the Recorder being ill, the mayor, William Bagge, sat as sole judge at our sessions, and upon the conviction of John Bradley and another person, his said worship passed on them the sentence of transportation:—but with what solemnity, if any, we have not learnt.—So late at the 24th of November this year, a Mr. Berry brought to town some young rooks from Mr. Fisher’s Carr at Tilney.

1788. On the 5th of November the centenary of the revolution was here kept by a select party. The same was then done at Holkham and other places . . . see 965, and 1083. About nine days after, it was also kept here at the Hall, by the corporation, with no small parade, and thought by some to rival if not excel the Holkham Fete.—A strange report of an extraordinary adventure of one of our Greenland captains this year—see p. 964.—The autumn and winter of this year were distinguished by the king’s memorable illness, which almost broke the hearts of half his subjects, and overwhelmed the whole nation with grief and dismay. In this affliction Lynn, without doubt, shared largely:—but it happily proved not of long duration.

1789. On the 12th of February his majesty was pronounced to be in a state of progressive amendment; and by the 18th of March he was deemed fit to resume the royal functions. The joy and exultation of the public now equalled their former grief and dismay, and they might be said to have gone from one extreme to the other. On the evening of the day last mentioned this town was most splendidly illuminated, and exhibited the most unequivocal tokens of its joy, and demonstrations of its loyalty.—See p. 969.—The 23rd of April was observed as a day of thanksgiving for the king’s recovery.—See p. 970.

1791. The law-suit between this corporation and that of London was determined in favour of the Dentons and other London freemen.—See p. 970.

1792. Effects of the royal proclamation against tumultuous meetings and seditious writings, and of Reeves’s Crown and anchor association manifested here.—See p. 973.

1794. In consequence of great complaints of the defective and decayed state of the Fen Drainage, the Eau-brink Cut was proposed and approved of as a remedy. Our trained bands or armed association again revived—and the Lynn Volunteers, infantry and cavalry, landsmen and marines, blunt-shooters and sharp-shooters, made their appearance among us. They consisted of different corps, but the most numerous was commanded by Colonel Everard, which was about three years after disbanded:—most of the others still remain, see 977, &c.—A violent thunderstorm happened this year, when a young girl was killed here by the lightening.

1796. February 23. Eleven persons lost their lives in attempting to cross the river in the Ferry-Boat—see 978.—The preceding day a Marshland man, of the name of Fuller, going to see the wild beasts, and putting his hand to a Lion’s mouth, narrowly escaped being torn to pieces by him.—April 25. The Free-masons, went in procession, from the Maid’s Head Inn to St. Margaret’s church, where a sermon was preached to them by Dr. Lloyd, the present Hebrew Professor at Cambridge; all this preparatory or introductory to the instituting and consecrating a new lodge of Lynn Free Masons: see p. 1120, &c.

1797. A whale, measuring 44 feet, caught in Lynn channel.—An improved method of cleaning Wheat seed discovered by some of our farmers: see p. 979.—The subscription Library established this year; of which see p. 1176.—In April this year, prince William (now duke) of Gloucester visited Lynn, and, after reviewing the Volunteers and dining with the mayor, was admitted to the freedom of this borough.

1798. Lynn and Freebridge Yeomanry Cavalry, under Colonel Taylor, embodied. Divers other such corps in our vicinity sprung up about the same time—the martial ardour of the time extended even to the priesthood.—On 29 Dec. this year the Thermometer said to be at 3 below 0: see p. 981.

1799. The Lynn and Wisbeach Packet, and also the inglorious Income Tax commenced their progress and operations: the former with far less success than the latter.—A great controversy soon after arose here about the termination of the century; one party placing it at the close of this, and the other at the close of the following year: so that the controversy rested on this curious ground, whether or not 99 was equal to 100.

1800. St. Catherine’s Gates, commonly called East Gates, taken down after having stood above 700 years.—Sept. 3. The dearness of provisions caused here a considerable commotion among the common people; and Mr. Forster, a flour merchant, was very roughly treated by some of them.—The attempt of Hadfield upon the king’s life, at the theatre, this summer, caused no small agitation here and throughout the nation: two very loyal addresses were now presented to his majesty, by our corporation and the inhabitants.

1801. The old building or tower, called the Black Mount, on the town walls, fell this year without doing much damage, as the ropers had just left it, being their dinner time.—816l. 9s. subscribed here this year, to furnish the poor with pease-soup, which was served out to them from the Town Hall thrice a week, by reason of the extreme dearness of provisions.—Also one Peter Donahue executed here for forgery.—The Peace of Amiens excited no small joy here, and the town was illuminated on the occasion.

1802. A grand Fete given at Refley Spring, when a whole sheep, roasted (says one account,) was served up at dinner, as a peace-offering to the friends of Refley [which friends of Refley, we may suppose, were the gods worshipped there that day.]

1803. The first act for paving and improving the town was now obtained.—The new-road, from the South gate to St. James’s End, was also made this year.—Also the new Burying ground and Chapel consecrated, by the then bishop of Norwich, Dec. 14.1806. In the course of this year there was a very high tide which demolished the remaining ruins of our Lady’s Chapel on the Bridge.—St. Nicholas’s Chapel this same year thoroughly repaired and greatly improved at a considerable expense.

1807. His royal highness the duke of Clarence, attended by Earl Cholmondeley visited Lynn, (13. October,) and they were both presented with the freedom of this borough.

1808. The names of many of the Streets of the town were this year most capriciously, childishly, and confoundingly changed; and the rage for changing names appeared now so predominant, that some began to expect no less than that the town itself was to receive a new name.

In the summer of this year the Lancasterian School was established here, of which see page 1145.

1809. In the month of October this year, the memorable Jubilee took place, which was kept and solemnized here with the greatest hilarity and exultation, as if the commencement of the present reign had been the introduction of the very millennium itself. It was a political manoeuvre; and not the first to which the British public have been the dupes.

1810. This year a negotiation took place, and was carried on for some months, between Mr. William Corston of Ludgate Hill, London, and the Lynn Court of Guardians, in consequence of a proposal from the former, to furnish employment for the female children of the Lynn poor, in plaiting of straw and knitting of hats, on certain terms and conditions: viz. To be provided with a proper house for the manufactory, and a dwelling for the superintendents, together with the loan of a large sum of money, on proper security, for seven years, without interest.—This notable treaty was opened in March, and after a number of Letters had passed between the parties, it was closed by a Letter from the Registrar to Mr. Corston, dated Sept. 15. of which the following is a copy—

“Sir, I was duly favoured with your Letter of the 20th. of August, inclosing answers to my questions respecting your plan for employing the female poor of this borough, which, with the sketch of the proposed building, &c. transmitted to Mr. Dixon, I laid before the Court of Guardians at their meeting, holden on Thursday last; who after having given the matter their most mature consideration, instruct me to inform you, that they entirely decline acceding to your propositions. I therefore return you the several papers, requesting you will be pleased to accept the thanks of the Court for the trouble you have had in the business. I am, &c. J. Smeatham.”

So the affair ended; happily or otherwise, we take not upon us to say.

1811. St. Margaret’s church thoroughly cleaned, white washed, and beautified, at considerable expense.—A new place of worship, called Salem Chapel erected—and premises Purchased, in Tower Street, for the erection of the splendid Methodist minster.—Those premises cost between 8 and 900l. and the subsequent erection will cost between 4 and 5000l. more.—In the early part of this year, if we are not mistaken, Mr. Allen, one of our common—brewers, relinquished his memorable attempt to dig a well, after having sunk to the vast depth of 560 feet and spent a large sum of money without success; so that it seems now that though Lynn is situated in a bog, the ground below is as destitute of water as any spot in the kingdom can well be. Some praise however seems to be due to Mr. A. for having so long persevered in this arduous undertaking, attended as it was with so much expense and discouragement. Some curious fossils, and even bones; were said to be discovered there at a great depth.

On Saturday evening, Oct. 5, one of the ferry-men in a small boat, which they use only occasionally, attempting to bring over from West-Lynn too many passengers, the boat suddenly went down and every soul perished: They were 9 if not more beside the ferry-man; and the boat was capable of carrying safely not above half that number. This fatal disaster was imputed to the perverse temerity of the boatman.

The last month of this year was rendered memorable by the death of the most singular and excentric character in the whole town, and probably in the whole county. His name was Robert Pursglove: he was descended from very worthy and reputable parents, who belonged to the respectable society of Friends or Quakers. With that society he himself was also generally classed, although for many years past almost every shade of resemblance between his character and theirs had disappeared. His parents left him in possession of good property, which he managed most strangely and in a manner peculiar to himself. He had a Ship, which he might have sold for a good sum of money; but he had it laid up, till it rotted all to pieces—a number of hay-stacks he also had, which he might have sold and turned to good account, but he would hear nothing of that, and they were left, year after year, till they were quite spoilt and good for nothing.—He had kine and other cattle, which were of course neglected and mismanaged—he lived in a large house, which he had purchased, where formerly had resided one of our first families; but he suffered every thing there to go to decay and utter ruin, till doors, windows, floors, stair-cases, roofs, and every thing became perfect pictures of desolation—his dogs, and even his swine and kine occupied some of its best apartments, all ill-fed and half starved.—In this dreary mansion of desolation he was himself at last found, in the agonies of death, resulting from an apoplectic attack, and beyond the possibility of deriving any relief from medical skill. He is said to have often wanted food, though he left behind him property to the amount, as it is reported, of near if not quite 10,000l.—This sketch might be greatly enlarged, but this will serve to give the reader some idea of the eccentricities and peculiarities of this extraordinary person.1812. This year has been yet distinguished by nothing more than a miserable stagnation of trade, and a probability of the bread and beer and other necessaries of life being dearer than ever. Nothing, in short, appears to be going on here now with vigour or spirit, but the methodist erection above mentioned and taxgathering; so that were we required to name whatever is here at present in a very thriving state, or rapidly on the increase, we should be able to mention scarce any thing besides these two articles, taxation and methodism.—As to the much talked of Evening Lecture at the Church, it will seemingly be given up at last; our churchmen not having zeal enough to effect its accomplishment.—As to the Dispensary, its prospect of success is far more flattering, and there can be little doubt now of its speedy establishment: large sums have been already subscribed, a house has been purchased, or is about to be purchased, and every thing fairly promises the sure completion of the undertaking, and the full application of its benefits to those classes of the inhabitants for whose behoof or relief the institution is intended. That it has succeeded better than the proposed Lecture, will perhaps be considered by some people as an indication, that our wealthy churchmen are more ready to provide for the corporeal than for the spiritual accommodation of their neighbours.—Of the notable plan of economy, so laudably adopted, and so steadily pursued during the present mayoralty, to save certain expenses usually attached to that important office, some account has been given at pages 1087, and 1154.—Of the present state of the Workhouse, and the prospect in regard to the future management of it, and of the poor-rates, some further observations, in this latter part of the work, were intended; but our information is too imperfect to admit of our resuming these subjects at present: we can therefore only say, that it is to be feared our sanguine hopes of being greatly benefited by the new plan, or lately adopted system, will, after all, terminate in useless regret and vexatious disappointment. Whatever they may do on the other side, it seems now pretty clear that our managers are not likely very soon to fall into the sin of being too frugal or economical in the application of the public money. [1215]—Among the extraordinary and memorable events of this year, the tragical exit or assassination of our late premier will be expected, perhaps, to be here noticed: and much as we do deplore that shocking catastrophe, we would fain hope it will operate as a warning to all future ministers, not to trifle with the serious complaints and sufferings of their fellow subjects. What may be the results of that fatal and melancholy occurrence, and the subsequent changes, it is impossible yet to say. They seem to have already produced the rescinding of the vile and pernicious orders of council, which had reduced almost half the nation to distress and beggary, and proved how easily the Americans can cramp our manufactories. Should they also produce a redress of the grievances complained of by the Catholics and other Dissenters, together with a thorough parliamentary reform, and a general peace, we may still escape national perdition, and even hope yet to see brighter and happier days.—The convulsion and expulsion lately experienced at the Independent, or rather Presbyterian chapel, may be also placed among the remarkable occurrences of this year. That congregation, it is hoped, (and all our other congregations) will no longer tolerate priestcraft, or submit to be priest-ridden. Whatever may be said of their successors who denominate themselves Independents, our Presbyterian ministers, we believe, were never chargeable with priestly domination.

FINIS.