Chapter XLVI: Section VII (2)

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

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

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

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

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

1558. The _plague_ was in the town, and carried off great numbers of the inhabitants: among them the _mayor and four aldermen_—one account says, the whole five were mayors successively, in the course of that year; in which case five mayors must have died here in the course of the year.

1559. Rood-Lofts and Images taken down, the ground at the east end of the churches levelled with the other parts, and the windows furnished with _glass_, instead of wooden shutters.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

March 20. _Oliver Cromwell_ (then called _Col. Cromwell_) visited this town, and was entertained here at the expense of the corporation. {1200}—The curious painted glass, in the windows of St. Margaret’s church, taken down this year, and replaced with plain glass.

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

1645. In February _Sir Thomas Fairfax_ visited Lynn, and was entertained at the expense of the corporation.—_Dorothy Lee_ and _Grace Wright_ were also murdered here legally by the magistrates; or, in other words, _hanged for witchcraft_.—The plague visited the town again this year.—_Col. Hobart_ became now governor, and _Guybon Goddard_ deputy recorder of Lynn.

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

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

1649. Lease of three Ferry-rights granted to John Bird, at 10_l._ per annum, and a _brace of well-fatted Swans to the mayor_.

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

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

1652. The Lynn garrison dissolved.

1653. One _Say_ hanged here for _killing her husband_—one account says it was by _poison_.—The South gate was now let to Henry Bloy at 1_l._ 5_s._ a year, and the East gate to James Browne at 1_l._ 15_s._ which shews that the town had then more intercourse with the country by the _East_ than by the _South gate_.—There being before this year only _six_ corn meters, but they were now increased to _ten_.

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

1655. Lynn now again garrisoned.

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

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

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

1659. Jan. 3. The right of electing burgesses or members of parliament determined to be in the _Hall_, and _not in the freemen at large_: the two members, _Toll_ and _Lloyd_ were accordingly now elected by the Hall.—Jan. 14. Ordered that the chamberlain take of all townsmen who build Booths at the Mart, 6_d._ and of strangers 10_d._ a foot for their ground.

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

1661. Alderman Keeling expelled the Hall for _non-residence_.—Rent of South-gate tolls lowered from 15_l._ to 5_l._ a year.

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

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

1664. Price of coals advanced this year from 17_s._ to 30_s._ and upwards.—Lord _Townshend_ elected _lord high steward_.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

1676. William Pearson hanged here for shop lifting.—Mr. _Helcote_ laid the foundation of _Broad-street Almshouse_, which was next year completed by _Framingham_.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

1685. Febr. 10. James the second proclaimed, and an address to him agreed upon, four days after—Nov. 9. The _may-pole_ in the market place taken down to be replaced by the _king’s statue_.—The two aldermen _Turner_ and _Taylor_ elected members for the town.—Petition transmitted and recommended to them concerning _the decay of the stocking trade_ here by the introduction of _weaving_, instead of _knitting_. See more about it under 1690.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Aug. 29. Henry Framingham, now chosen mayor, remitted the usual fee of 100_l._ In other respects he was an unfeeling, intolerant being, as appears by the shameful persecution that was carried on here during his mayoralty, and that of his immediate successor, against one of the dissenting ministers and his congregations—see p. 861, &c.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

1751. _William Chaplain_, for the murder of _Mary Gafferson_, was hanged in chains on a gibbet upon South Lynn Common, see p. 932.

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

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

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

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

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

1761. The tower of All Saints or South Lynn church fell down, to rise no more. See p. 943.—About the same time a large whale was taken here near Darsingham, 56 feet 9 inches long, and 34 feet 4 inches in girth, see p. 944.—A man and his wife transported, he for 7, she for 14 years, the cause not noted.

1763. December 2. A dreadful high wind and tide here, which did great damage among the shipping, many of which were wrecked on the coast: cattle and sheep also in vast numbers were drowned in Marshland, and about Snettisham, &c.

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

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

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

1768. A great contested election here between _Turner_ and _Molineux_. See 946.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

1792. Effects of the _royal proclamation_ against tumultuous meetings and seditious writings, and of Reeves’s _Crown and anchor association_ manifested here.—See p. 973.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

1803. The first act for _paving_ and improving the town was now obtained.—The _new-road_, from the South gate to St. James’s End, was also made this year.—Also the new Burying ground and Chapel consecrated, by the then bishop of Norwich, Dec. 14.

1806. In the course of this year there was a very high tide which demolished the remaining ruins of our Lady’s Chapel on the Bridge.—St. Nicholas’s Chapel this same year thoroughly repaired and greatly improved at a considerable expense.

1807. His royal highness the _duke of Clarence_, attended by _Earl Cholmondeley_ visited Lynn, (13. October,) and they were both presented with the freedom of this borough.

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

In the summer of this year the _Lancasterian School_ was established here, of which see page 1145.

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