Chapter XXI: Section I

_Cursory remarks on the Restoration—its memorable effects—great joy manifested here on the occasion—several remarkable rejoicings at Lynn in the course of this period_.

The Restoration was one of those revolutionary events which occur in the history of this country. It was effected, says one of our historians, “without any effusion of blood.” But what is more to be wondered at, is, that whereas so much blood had been spilt to compel _Charles I._ to come to terms with his people, towards which it is certain he at last made large concessions, _Charles II._ should be received without any conditions at all. Upon this bishop Burnet, in the _History of his own times_, observes, that _Hale_, afterwards lord chief justice, did move that a Committee might be appointed to look into the propositions that had been made, and the concessions that had been offered by the late king, and from thence digest such propositions as they should think fit to be sent over to the king. As such a motion was foreseen, _Monk_ was instructed how to answer [or overrule] it. He accordingly told the House, that he had information of such numbers of incendiaries still in the kingdom, that if any delay was put to the sending for the king, he could not answer for the peace either of the nation or army: and as the king was to bring neither army nor treasure with him, either to fright or corrupt them, propositions might be as well offered to him when he should come over; so moved for sending commissioners immediately. This was echoed with such a shout all over the House, that _Hale’s_ motion was no more insisted on. To the King’s coming without conditions, says the bishop, may well be imputed all the errors of his reign. {792a} To allow him so to return and ascend the throne was certainly a flagrant proof of the folly and pusillanimity of the convention parliament, and of the baseness of that spirit which then predominated among out ancestors.

Such a tide of extravagant joy overspread the nation upon the king’s arrival, as in the end very much hurt and debased the morals of the people, and introduced an almost universal dissoluteness of manners, which was encouraged and propagated by the ill example of the king and the court. From the enthusiasm and fanaticism, which prevailed in the former period, the nation fell now into the opposite extreme of licentiousness and immorality; one or the other of which extremes being always the consequence of men’s not governing themselves by reason. {792b} Thus the country had no great cause to congratulate itself on the blessed effects of the restoration of royalty, or the revival of the old order of things. No nation in Europe could be more depraved and licentious than the English in the reign of Charles the second.

Much pains were taken, before his majesty’s arrival, to represent his character in the most favourable and respectable light. Though the first born of profligacy and scoundrelism, he was reported, by his faithful and thorough-paced agents, as the very mirror of wisdom, of virtue, and of piety. These reports were not more industriously or artfully circulated than they were readily and generally believed, so that we need not wonder if the country in general looked upon the arrival of Charles as the commencement of the golden age, or of the reign of a heaven-born prince. Such seems to have been actually the case. The confidence the people had in the king, says Kimber, from the extraordinary good opinion they had been prepossessed with in his favour, and their transports of joy at being delivered from the late confusions and distractions, by means of his restoration, will account for the excessive complaisance that was shewn to the court at the beginning of this great event, so that the parliament could scarce deny the king any thing. To the ill use made of this confidence is to be imputed the opposition which the court met with afterwards.

Our ecclesiastical historian _Neal_, speaking of the restoration, says,

“Here was an end of those distracted times which our historians have
loaded with all the infamy and reproach that the wit of man could
invent. The puritan ministers have been decried, as ignorant
mechanicks, canting preachers, enemies to learning, and no better
than public robbers. The universities were said to be reduced to a
meer Munster, and that if the _Goths_ and _Vandals_, and even the
_Turks_, had overrun the nation they could not have done more to
introduce barbarism, disloyalty, and ignorance. Yet in these times,
and by the men who then filled the university chairs, were educated
the most learned divines and eloquent preachers, such as the
_Stillingfleets_, _Tillotsons_, _Bulls_, _Barrows_, _Whitbys_, and
others, who retained a high veneration for their learned tutors after
they were ejected and displaced. The religious part of the common
people have been stigmatized with the character of _hypocrites_,
their looks, their dress and behaviour, have been represented in the
most odious colours; and yet one may venture to challenge these
declaimers to produce any period of time since the reformation,
wherein there was less open profaneness and impiety, and more of the
spirit as well as the appearance of religion. Perhaps there was too
much rigour and preciseness in indifferent matters; but the lusts of
men were laid under a visible restraint; and though the legal
constitution was unhappily broken, and men were governed by false
politicks, yet better laws were never made against vice, or more
rigorously executed. The dress and conversation of people was sober
and virtuous, and their manner of living remarkably frugal. There
was hardly a single bankruptcy to be heard of in a year, and in such
a case the bankrupt had a mark of infamy upon him that he could never
wipe off. Drunkenness fornication, profane swearing, and every kind
of debauchery, were justly deemed infamous, and universally
discountenanced. The clergy were laborious to excess in preaching
and praying, and catechising youth and visiting their parishes. The
magistrates did their duty in suppressing all kinds of games,
stage-plays, and abuses in publick-houses. There was not a play
acted on any theatre in England for almost twenty years. The Lord’s
day was observed with unusual reverence; and there were a set of as
learned and pious youths training up in the university as had ever
been known. So that if such a reformation of manners had been
obtained under a legal administration they would have deserved the
character of the best of times.”

“But when the legal constitution was restored, there returned with it
a torrent of debauchery and wickedness. The times which followed the
restoration were the reverse of those that preceded it; for the laws
which had been enacted against vice for the last twenty years being
declared null, and the magistrates changed, men set no bounds to
their licentiousness. A proclamation indeed was published against
those loose and riotous cavaliers, whose loyalty consisted in
drinking health and railing at those who would not revel with them:
but in reality the king was at the head of these disorders, being
devoted to his pleasures, and having given himself up to an avowed
course of lewdness; his bishops and chaplains said, that he usually
came from his mistresses apartments to church, even on sacrament
days.”

Yet he was, on earth, the supreme head of the church, and that church the best constituted in the world. It must need, surely, be well, extremely well constituted (and so must any body) not to be contaminated, disordered, or distracted with, or by such a head.

“Nothing was to be seen at court but feasting, hard drinking,
revelling, and amorous intrigues, which engendered the most enormous
vices. From court the contagion spread like wild fire among the
people, in so much that men threw off the very profession of virtue
and piety, under colour of drinking the king’s health: all kinds of
_old cavalier rioting_ and debauchery revived; the appearances of
religion which remained with some, furnished matters of ridicule to
libertines and scoffers. Some, who had been concerned in the former
changes, thought they could not redeem their credit better than by
deriding all religion, and telling or making stories to render their
former party ridiculous. To appear serious, or make conscience
either of words or actions, was the way to be accounted a
schismatick, a fanatick, or a sectarian; though if there was any real
religion during the course of this reign, it was chiefly among those
people. They who did not applaud the new ceremonies were marked out
for _presbyterians_, and every presbyterian was a _rebel_. The old
clergy who had been sequestered for scandal, having taken possession
of their livings, were intoxicated with their new felicity, and threw
off all the restraints of _their order_.—Such was the general
dissoluteness of manners that attended the deluge of joy which
overflowed the nation upon his majesties restoration.” {796a}

As to Lynn, at and subsequently to the restoration, it appears to have largely shared the general joy and other effects produced by that memorable event. When we consider the extreme rigour of the former government or governors of this town, {796b} in attempting fines and imprisonment to restrain the tippling and other vicious and licentious propensities of the inhabitants, we cannot much wonder at the excessive joy which the restoration excited here, as it was very natural to expect that that event would effectually remove those severities, and introduce a more lax and indulgent system. How long the first transports of joy lasted we are not able exactly to ascertain; but that they were at their height on the first royal birth day, the 29th of May 1660, we may very reasonably presume. On that day the town was all festivity and triumph. Among the curiosities that graced that memorable carnival were 300 young maids, or lasses of the town, dressed all in white, and parading through the principal streets. {797} Whether this may, or may not be considered as an emblem of the predilection of the sex for Charles, or that of Charles for the sex, we will not take upon us to say. That it was a whimsical contrivance seems very evident; and that it was peculiar to this town appears more than probable, as we do not recollect having heard of any thing like it elsewhere on that day, or on that occasion.

This was certainly one of the most gladsome seasons that Lynn ever witnessed: but it was not the only season of that description that occurred here during the period now under review. There are others of the same kind that ought here not to pass unnoticed. One of these was in the spring of 1680, on account of the arrival of the duke of York from Scotland, and the discomfiture of the _Whigs_ or petitioners, (or the king’s rejection of the petitions of the people for the assembling of parliament,) and, of course, the success and triumph of the _Tories_ or court party, then called _Abhorrers_, as they professed to abhor such petitioning, and approve of the king’s governing without parliaments. On these interesting accounts there was much rejoicing at Lynn; and

“on the 30th of April that year, the following Address was read in
the Hall, and signed the same day by every one of that House: and the
mayor, (Giles Bridgeman) was desired to commend the same to the hands
of the right honorable the Earl of Yarmouth (Lord Lieutenant of the
County) to be presented by him to his Majesties.”

“To the King’s most excellent Majestie,

Dread Sir,—Wee your Majesties Dutifull and Loyall Subjects, the
Mayor, Recorder, Aldermen, and Common-Councell of your Majesties
ancient burgh of Lenn Regis, on behalf of ourselves and other the
free Burgesses and principal inhabitants here doe in all humility
prostrate ourselves at the feet of your most sacred Majestie, and in
all duty acknowledge the infinite benefits wee of this burgh, with
all other, the liedge people of this your Majesties Kingdom of
England by your happy government and royall conduct next under God
enjoye, and more particularly wee give your Majestie an oblation of
our duty and thankfullness in your _pious_ and resolute support and
maintenance of the religion established by the Lawes of this kingdome
in the Church of England in your couragious conserving the Regalities
of your Crowne _against insolent petitions_, and protecting the
lawfull liberties and freedoms of your subjects. And _with our souls
we bless Almighty God in the return of your royall brother_, _the
Duke of Yorke_, _to your Majesties most Gracious presence_, and doe
cheerfully profess to maintaine and defend your Majesties most Royall
person your Heirs and lawfull successors in your and their just
rights,

May it please your Majestie

Your natural Liegemen.”

In this remarkable and curious Address to the Throne, what choice matter of joy, thankfulness, congratulation, and triumph is exhibited on the part of the Addressers! The King appeared resolved to govern despotically, or without a parliament. Many of his subjects had petitioned and prayed him to call or assemble a parliament. He had rejected those petitions and prayers with disdain. The Lynn Corporation address him on the occasion, congratulating, praising and extolling him to the skies for acting the despot and turning a deaf ear to the prayers and supplications of his aggrieved subjects. For such royal doings, and for the arrival and presence of the Duke of York at court, which presence had always been a curse to the nation, the corporation of Lynn congratulated their profligate sovereign, and offered to stand by him at all events. Moreover, they exhibit, all the while, a most sanctimonious appearance, and profess _with all their souls to bless Almighty God_ for what was one of the greatest curses of their oppressed country.—So much for this royal and notable Address from Lynn. {800}

As to the accession of James to the throne, it appears to have been contemplated at Lynn with no small pleasure and satisfaction, and the day on which that memorable event was announced here to have been a day of uncommon rejoicing. We accordingly find the following note in the Town Books, “Febr. 10th. (1685) King James II. proclaimed with all due solemnities and signalls of Joy and Gladness.” Four days after was “ordered an _Address_ to the King’s Majestie.” But having never seen a copy of this Address the present writer cannot give a particular account of its contents. He cannot however doubt but it was in the usual style of Lynn Addresses to that monarch.

Another season of extraordinary festivity and exultation at Lynn occurred in 1686. It was on no less interesting an occasion than the erecting of the statue of the sovereign in the Tuesday Market place. We accordingly read, in _Mackerell’s_ “Chronological Account” of the town, of “great rejoicings here that year, at the setting up of the statue of king James II.” His majesty (as well as king John) seems to have been long the object of the admiration of the Lynn people. They admired him while Duke of York, and after his accession to the throne they never rested till they had set up his image or statue in the most public and conspicuous part of their town. Of this royal and memorable affair Mackerell has given the following information in another part of his work—

“_An account of KING JAMES IId’s statue_, _and the Rejoicings at the
setting up of the_” [_same_.]

“On the 13th day of _April_ 1686. which was the anniversary of their
majesties coronation, the same was kept with all due solemnity; the
mayor, aldermen, and the rest of the body, meeting in their
formalities in the _Guild-Hall_, after Divine Service at the church,
proceeded from thence attended with musick, to the great
Market-place; in the middle whereof, by the Gentlemen and other Loyal
Inhabitants of the corporation, was then erected the Effigies of his
Sacred Majesty upon a Pedestal, with several carvings and
embellishments, inclosed with a Pallisade of Iron, under inscribed,

_Non Immemor_
_Quantum Divinis Invictiss. Principis_
_JACOBI II_.
_Virtutibus debeat_
_Hanc Regiæ Majestatis Effigiem_
_Æternum Fidei et Obsequii_
_Monumentum_, _Erexit_
_S. P. Q. L._
_Anno Salutis_ 1686.

In English

“Not forgetting how much is due to the _Divine Virtues_ of the
_Victorious_ King JAMES _the Second_, the Senate and People of Lynn,
as a _lasting Monument_ of their _Faith_ and _Loyalty_, have erected
this Statue of his Royal Majesty, in the year of our Lord One
Thousand Six Hundred and Eighty six.

“N.B. The King, Queen, and the rest of the Royal Family’s Healths
were drank; and the Day was concluded with Ringing of Bells,
Bonfires, all sorts of loud Musick, Fire works, discharging the Great
Guns, with all other Demonstrations of Joy and Loyalty.” {803}

Such is Mackerell’s account of the extraordinary festivities and rejoicings at Lynn on this great and important occasion. It was, no doubt, worth recording, and it may still be worth preserving here, if it were only for this special reason, that it may help to give us just ideas of the general character of corporations, and of their proceedings. Here is a _Statue_ erected to one of the vilest of human beings; and here are _virtues_, and even _Divine Virtues_! ascribed to one who was as devoid of every thing of that kind as the very devil: and here is an _Inscription_ denominating the erection of the Statue a _Lasting Monument_ of _Faith_ and _Loyalty_; and yet this boasted _faith_ and _loyalty_, and _lasting Monument_, lasted only about _three_ or _four_ years. The Statue was pulled down mutilated, decollated, disfigured, dismembered, and buried in dirt and rubbish, where it remains to this day.

There was here also a remarkable exhibition of joy and gratitude, as well as loyalty, in 1687, excited, it seems, by his majesty’s royal and memorable Declaration, and the consciousness of its being the duty of every member of the Church of England to defend and support him with their _lives_ and _fortunes_.—The following Address to the Throne was accordingly agreed upon and ordered to be sealed with the common Seal, September 19. 1687.—

“GREAT SIR,—The known principles of the Church of England being such
as oblige every member thereof with their Lives and Fortunes to
defend and maintain your Majestie Your Royall Prerogative with all
other rights belonging to your Majesties Imperiall Crown, makes us at
this time humbly to begg your Majesty to receive this further
attestation, not in the least doubting of the peaceable enjoyment of
our religion under Your Majesties most sacred protection, returning
our most hearty and humble thanks for Your Majesties late repeated
Assurance thereof, expressed in Your Majesties late gracious
Declaration.”

Such was the Address which was sent at that time from Lynn. But his sacred majesty soon found that the boasted principles of the Church of England were not sufficient to secure to him the attachment of his subjects and the quiet possessions of his throne, unless he relinquished those favourite projects of his which appeared hostile to that church. For the very next year a very alarming defection took place, and the majority of those of that communion became inimical to his government. Even the _Life and fortune men_ forsook him, and beheld his downfal without concern or commiseration. So false did that description of his subjects prove to him, and so unavailing also in the end did he find even the great orthodox doctrine of _passive obedience_ and _nonresistance_, which had been the favourite doctrine of the Church of England during the whole of his brother’s reign.

A few months after the last mentioned affair took place in January 1688, a fresh occasion of rejoicing was presented to the Lynn people. This was the annunication of the queen’s pregnancy; which proved not a little satisfactory and gratifying to our corporation, as appears from the following note in their books:

“January 26. Ordered and agreed that Sunday the 29th Instant being
appointed by his Majestie a day of Thanksgiving for her Majesties
being happily with child, the several members of this House doe
attend Mr. Mayor (Robert Sparrow Esq.) in their formalitys at morning
and evening service, to render thanksgiving to Almighty God for so
signall a blessing, and after evening service to repair to the Custom
House to drink the king’s health with a Bonefire.”

On the 2nd. of the following July, the Gentlemen and good people of Lynn were furnished with matter of still higher gratification, by the knowledge of her majesty’s safe delivery, and the birth of a _prince_ {805} who would be likely to inherit his royal sire’s faith, piety, sapience, and sublime virtues. This important intelligence, as might be expected, was very joyfully received, and occasioned the immediate assembling of the corporation. In that assembly, or meeting, was proposed and voted an Address to his Majesty, of which the following is a copy:

“GREAT SIR—Wee Your Majesties Dutifull Subjects crave leave of Your
Majesty and your Royall Consort that we join with Your Majestie in
offering our most humble and hearty thanks to God Almighty in sending
Your Majestie a Sonn and a Prince, and farther we begg of your Sacred
Majestie to accept our Cordial thanks for your Majesties late favor
to the body of this Corporation, {806} and also for your Princely
condescension and affection by both your gracious Declarations, not
only extending to the Church of England but to all other your
peaceable and loyall Subjects, Assuring us by Your royall word you
will stand by us, whereby we are not only obliged but resolved, when
your Majestie shall think fitt to call a Parliament, wee will
endeavour to elect such members as shall make your Majesty happie and
Your Subjects easie, and shall pray for Your Majestie’s long and
peaceable reigne over us. In witness whereof we have fixed our Town
Seale the 2nd of July in the 4th year of your most gracious reign,
Anno Domini 1688.”

In conclusion, it is presumed that we are fully warranted to affirm, that Lynn has never been more attached to any of our sovereigns than to King _John_ and King _James_ the second; and that even his present majesty, with all his shining virtues, is not more, if so much beloved here as those two monarchs were. It may perhaps be difficult to account for it, yet it seems unquestionably to be the fact, that of all the princes that ever swayed the British Sceptre, none ever shared more largely in the affection admiration, and veneration of the good people of this town than those three potentates. Nor have there been any other reigns under which our townsmen seemed more ready to congratulate themselves on the superior happiness they enjoyed, or the transcendent benefits and blessings they derived from the throne.