/ 
 
 CU^^^jAJ^ ^ 
 
 M' 
 
 THE LIBRARY 
 
 OF 
 
 THE UNIVERSITY 
 
 OF CALIFORNIA 
 
 GIFT OF 
 
 Professor 
 George A, Starr 
 
t 
 
THE DIARY OF LADY 
 
 WILLOUGHBY. 
 
So much of the DIARY of 
 
 LADY WILLOUGHBY 
 
 as relates to her Domejiic Hijiory^ & 
 
 to the Eventful Periodof the Reign 
 
 of Charles the Firft, the 
 
 Protectorate, and the 
 
 Reftoration. 
 
 Imprinted for Longmans, Green, Reader, 
 
 and Dyer, Paternojier Row, over 
 
 againft Warwick Lane, in the 
 
 City of London. 
 
 1873. 
 
LOAN STACK 
 GIFT 
 
P^^zH 
 
 f<S$&, 
 
 
 
 
 To THE Reader. 
 
 
 The ftyle of Printing and general 
 
 • 
 
 appearance of this Volume have 
 been adopted by the Publifhers 
 in accordance with the defign of 
 
 
 the Author, who in this 
 
 
 Work perfonates a lady 
 ofthefeventeenth 
 
 
 Century. 
 
 
 r 
 
 
 445 
 
Some Paflages from the 
 Diary of Lady 
 
 Willoughby. 
 
 Rofe at my ufual houre, fix of 
 the clock, for the firfl: time fince 
 the Birth of my little Sonne ; 
 opened the Cafement, and look'd 
 forth upon the Park ; a herd of Deer pafl^'d 
 bye, leaving the traces of their Footfteps in the 
 dewy Graff^. The Birds fang, and the Aire 
 was fweet with the fcent of the Wood-blnde 
 and the frefh Birch Leaves. Took down my 
 Bible ; found the Mark at the 1 03d FJalm ; read 
 the fame, and returned Thanks to Almighty 
 God that he had brought me fafely through my 
 
 1635- 
 
 May 12, 
 
 Tuejday. 
 
1635. 
 
 May 19, 
 Tuejday. 
 
 From the Diary of 
 
 late Peril and Extremity, and in his great 
 Bountie had given me a deare little One. 
 Pray'd him to affift me by his Divine Grace 
 in the right performance of my new and facred 
 Duties : truly I am a young Mother, and need 
 Help. Sent a Meflage to my Lord, that if it 
 fo pleafed him, I would take Breakfaft with 
 him in the Blue Parlour. At Noon walked 
 out on the South Terrace; the two Greyhounds 
 came leaping towards me : divers houfehold 
 Afraires in the courfe of the Day ; enough 
 wearied when Night came. 
 
 Had a difturbed Night, and rofe late, not 
 down till after feven : Thoughts wandering 
 at Prayers. The Chaplain detained us after 
 Service to know our Pleafure concerning the 
 Chriftening; my Lord doth wifh nothing 
 omitted that fliould feem proper to fignify 
 his RefpecSt to that religious Ordinance which 
 admits his Child into the outward and vifible 
 Church of Chrifty and give honour to his firfte 
 born Sonne. During Breakfaft we gave the 
 Subjedt much Confideration. My Hujband 
 doth not defire him to be named after him- 
 felf, but rather after his Father ; his Brother 
 William therefore bearing his name will ftand 
 Godfather. All being at laft brought to a 
 
Lady Willoughby. 
 
 fatisfaftory conclufion: he went forth with the 
 Chaplain and gave his orders according there- 
 with, I doing the fame in my fmaller capacity : 
 he for whom was all this care lying uncon- 
 fcioufly in his Nurfe's arms. 
 
 Meflenger from WimUedon, My deare 
 and honoured Mother writes that fhe doth 
 at prefent intend fetting forth on Monday : 
 gave orders for the Eaji Chamber to be pre- 
 pared. The day being fine walked down to 
 the Dairy ; told Cicely to make Cheefe as 
 often as will fuit, the whey being much ap- 
 proved by my Mother. The brindled Cow 
 calved yefterday : Calf to be reared, as Cicely 
 tells me the mother is the beft milker we have. 
 Daify grows and promifes to be a fine Cow: 
 praifed Cicely for the cleane and orderly ftate 
 of all under her care ; fhe is a good clever 
 Lafle. As I returned to the houfe mett my 
 Lord^ who had come to feeke me ; two 
 Strangers with him : thought as he drew 
 near how comely was his countenance : he 
 advanced a pace or two before the others, 
 took my hand, and prefled it to his Lips as 
 he turned and introduced me to Sir Arthur 
 Hazelrigge & the Lord Brooke: methought 
 the latter very pleafing, of gracefull carriage, 
 
 1635. 
 
1635. 
 
 May 25, 
 Monday. 
 
 From the Diary of 
 
 and free from any courtly foppery and ex- 
 travagance in his apparel. They prefently 
 renew'd their converfation refpedling New 
 England, Lord Brooke and Lord Say and Sele 
 have fent over Mr. George Fenwicke to pur- 
 chafe land and commence building : there is 
 talk of Mr. John Hampden joining them. 
 Lord Brooke difcourfed at length on the 
 admirable qualities and excellent attainements 
 of the late Lord, his coufin, who did come by 
 a cruell death, being murdered by his fervant 
 through a jealoufy he entertained that his paft 
 fervices were negledled. Some Members of 
 my Lords Family knew him well, and did fee 
 much of him when Sir Fulke Greville : he was 
 greatly efteemed by many, but known chiefly 
 as the Friend and Lover of Sir Philip Sydney^ 
 whofe early death was mourned by all England; 
 and whofe like may not againe be look'd upon. 
 He left direftions their friendfliip fhould be 
 recorded on his Tomb, as may be feene in 
 Warwick Church: Fulke G'^^vill'e Servant to 
 ^een Elizabeth Counjellor to King James and 
 Friend to Sir Philip Sydney. 
 
 Moft unhappy in mind this day ; temper 
 forely tried, and feelings of refentment at what 
 did appeare unkind conduft in another, were 
 
Lady Willoughby. 
 
 too vifibly exprefled in manner and countenance^ 
 though I did refraine from words. 
 
 Slept lafl: night in very Wearinefle of Weep- 
 ing ; and awaken'd this morning with a feel- 
 ing of Hopeleflhefle ; and ill at eafe my- 
 felfe, methought every Thing around feemed 
 melancholy ; Truth and Affedion doubted, 
 Shortcomings hardly judged of; this is an 
 unlook'd for triall. The Sun fhon brightly 
 through the open Window, but it feem'd not 
 to fliine for me : I took my Bible to read 
 therein my ufuall Portion ; and kneePd down 
 to pray, but could only weep : thoughts of my 
 Mother's tender love arofe, and the Truft on 
 either fide that had been unbroken between us. 
 Remembering an outward Compofure muft be 
 attain'd unto, before I could go down to break- 
 faft, wafiied my eyes, and let the frefh aire 
 blow upon my face; felt I was a poore dif- 
 fembler, having had heretofore but little trouble 
 of heart to conceal : mett my Hujband in the 
 Corridor with Lord Brooke^ and well nigh loft 
 my Selfe-command when he gave a kindly 
 prefliire of my Hand as he led me down ftairs. 
 This Evening how different does all appeare ; 
 and though this and fome other late Experiences 
 occafion me to perceave that Life is not fo calm 
 
 1635. 
 
 May 26, 
 Tuejday, 
 
1635. 
 
 June 4, 
 Tburfday. 
 
 From the Diary of 
 
 a Sea as it once did feeme in my ignorance of 
 humane Nature ; flight Breezes may ruffle it, 
 and unfeene Rocks may give a Shock to the 
 little Shipp : haply the Mariner will learn to 
 fleer his courfe, and not feare Shipwreck from 
 every accident. 
 
 My deare Mother arrived at Noon ; flie was 
 fatigued, and retired to her Chamber, firfl: 
 coming with me to the Nurfery to fee her 
 Grand/on ; he was awake, and fmiling ; flie 
 took him in her arms and look'd fondly on 
 him. It is a fweet Child, my Daughter : may 
 the Lord have you both in his fafe Keeping 
 now and evermore. My Mother's Blefling 
 from her own Lips, how precious. She much 
 commends my nurfing him ; and would not 
 for my own fake I ftiould lofe fo greate fatis- 
 fadion. I attended her to her Room, where 
 Mabel was in waiting : deare kind old Mabely 
 I was well pleafed to fee her, and kifl^'d her as I 
 was wont when a Girl ; and fo did fpoile a 
 mofl refpedfull curtefie to my Lady fliip. Deare 
 Mother look'd round the Room pleafed there- 
 with ; and with fuch fmall Comforts as I had 
 been enabled to provide, which flie hath at 
 home. This Day hath been one of much 
 Happinefle: Returned heart-felt Thanks to 
 
Lady Willoughb}^. 
 
 God for his loving Kindnefle and tender Mercy ; 
 read the 23rd PJalm : my Cup doth indeed 
 run over. 
 
 The Houfe full of Company fince the 
 Chriftening ; and I have felt too weary at 
 night to do more than colleft my Thoughts 
 for Devotion. To-day many have left; and 
 my Hujband doth purpofe to begin his Journey 
 to-morrow. My Mother with me, he leaveth 
 Home with more eafe of Mind. 
 
 My deare Lord fet forth at a little paft fix, 
 with only one Serving-man, who had a led 
 Horfe and one to carry the baggage. After 
 they had rode fome way, they ftopp'd, and my 
 Lord difmounted, and taking a fhort cut thro' 
 the Park, came up to the Window where I 
 had remained to watch his Departure : he bade 
 me call the Steward^ gave him fome directions ; 
 then telling me to keep up a good heart, took 
 another tender Leave, and followed by Arm- 
 ftrong^ returned to the fpot where were the 
 Horfes ; and he mounting the led Horfe, they 
 were foon out of fight. Old Britton feemed 
 to underftand he was not to follow his Mafter, 
 and came and reared himfelfe up to the Win- 
 dowj refting his Fore-paws on the fl:one : I 
 patted his broad Head, and queftioned not 
 
 1635. 
 
 June 19, 
 Friday. 
 
1635. 
 
 June 27, 
 Saturday. 
 
 July 5> 
 
 Sunday, 
 
 From the Diary of 
 
 that he felt as I did, that his beft Friend was 
 gone : tooke a few turns with him on the 
 Terrace ; the Mift cleared off the diftant Woods 
 and Fields, and I plainly difcern'd the Towers 
 of Framlingham Caftle^ and could heare the 
 pleafant found of the Scythe cutting through 
 the thick Grafle in the fields neareft, and the 
 Cuckoo, as flie fled flowly from hedge to 
 hedge. 
 
 Have been greatly fatigued the pafl: Day or 
 two : it is a ferious Charge to be left head over 
 fo large a Houfehold, but it availeth not to be 
 over carefull. John Armjlrong knoweth his 
 Lord's Pleafure in mofb things, and is honefl: 
 and faithfull : and the Chaplain will keep fome 
 overfight : and his Counfel in Difficulties, 
 fliould fuch arife, may be depended on, though 
 he hath not Johns Experience in the Family 
 and its Requirements. My Room laft night 
 looked lonely ; and Baby fleeping fomewhat 
 uneafily, I fent for Nurje^ who fl:ay'd till we 
 were comfortably afleep. I think to have a 
 Truckle bed made up for her; the Room is 
 fpacious. Read to-night in St, John^ chapter 
 5, and the 93d PJalm. 
 
 Feare at times that my Mind is too much 
 bufied with the cares of this World ; find I 
 
Lady Willoughby. 
 
 fhorten the time which I had appointed to 
 Retirement and Self-examination, yet is this 
 latter Exercife much needed : outwardly I may 
 appear ftriving to perform my daily Duties 
 well and circumfpeftly, but others know not 
 the fecret Faults of the Heart ; the indolence, 
 the imperfed Soul-lefle performances of Reli- 
 gious Duties : the obtruding of Selfifh motives 
 into what may feeme adls of KindnefTe or 
 Charity. Often doth the verfe of the 51ft 
 VJalm come to my remembrance, Againfi Thee^ 
 Thee only have I finned ^ and done this evil in 
 'Thy ftght. And now that I am a Mother it 
 behoveth me ftill more to maintaine the Worke 
 of inward Self-difcipline. Even at my little 
 Child's tender age, he is fenfibly affedled by 
 the Feelings apparent in the faces of thofe 
 around him : yefterday it happened as I nurfed 
 him, that being vexed by fome trifling matters 
 that were not done as I had defired, the dif- 
 turbed expreflion of my Countenance fo dif- 
 trefled him that he uttered a complaining Cry ; 
 made happy by a fmile and the more ferene 
 afpecS that affedlion called forth, he neftled his 
 little Face again in my Bofom, and did foon 
 fall afleep. It doth feeme a trifling thing to 
 note, but it teacheth the Neceffity of Watch- 
 
 1635- 
 
lO 
 
 1635. 
 
 July 7, 
 
 Tue" 
 
 ejday. 
 
 From the Diary of 
 
 fulnefle ; and If this Duty Is efpecially called 
 for In our Condud: towards the Young, or 
 indeed towards all, Is It not more fo when we 
 confider there Is One who feeth the Heart, 
 and whofe eye will not behold Iniquity ? 
 
 Quiet Day, fitting the greater part thereof 
 at my Embroidery; my Mother befide me 
 knitting. We had much pleafant Converfe : 
 file encouraged me to perfevere in the diligent 
 performance of daily Duties whatfoever they 
 may be ; a good Wife, (he fayd, fhould make 
 it her chief defire to keep a well-order*d Family. 
 My want of Experience, fhe kindly added, 
 makes fome things Irkfome and perplexing, 
 which will ceafe to be the cafe after a while, 
 when lefle time will fuffice for their perform- 
 ance, and more opportunity afforded for reft 
 of Body and Mind. She bade me not be 
 caft down, or be difcouraged by fome mif- 
 chances ; and fo comforted me. In the evening 
 we paced for fome time up and down the ^er- 
 race. The Moon arofe above the old Oak 
 Tree : my Mother feemed greatly to enjoy the 
 Scene. I repeated aloud the 19th and part of 
 the 9 2d P/almes ; and we entered the houfe: 
 (he looked chill, and I haftened to warm her 
 fome fplced Wine, which I took with a man- 
 
Lady Willoughby. 
 
 chet of Bread for her Supper. As I gave 
 Baby his lafl: Meal for the night, my Heart 
 was lifted up in Gratitude for the Mercy ex- 
 tended to me : he looked beautifully & put 
 his foft Hand to my Face careffingly, his eyes 
 full of Contentment and AfFedion looking 
 into mine : May it ever be prefent with me, 
 that this fmall delicate Frame is the earthly 
 Tabernacle of a Soul to be trained for Im- 
 mortality. 
 
 Bufy in the Still-Room this forenoon : put 
 the dried Rofe-leaves in paper bags. Alice 
 was picking the Rofemary, and I fat down to 
 help her. She fays the under Houfe-maid 
 complains of ill treatment, particulars not 
 worth writing of; her pretty Face gains too 
 much of the good-will of the Men and the ill- 
 will of the women : mentioned the Matter to 
 the Chaplain^ who faith he will add a few words 
 of fuitable exhortation at the conclufion of 
 Evening Service. Bade Alice take heed there 
 (hould be a good ftore of Chamomile-flowers 
 and Poppy-heads, and of Mint water ; our 
 poore Neighbours look to us for fuch : gave 
 her my Mother's recipe for Hungary Water 
 and the Conferve of Hips. 
 
 John took the Yarn to the Weaver's, and 
 
 II 
 
 1635. 
 
 July 15, 
 JVedneJday. 
 
12 
 
 1635. 
 
 July 18, 
 Saturday. 
 
 Auguft 3, 
 Monday, 
 
 From the Diary of 
 
 brought back Flax, Spices, and Sugar. The 
 Stage Waggon had not arrived when he left 
 Ipfwich^ and there was no package from London, 
 My Lord was to fend Hangings for the large 
 Drawing Room ; but it matters not. 
 
 A Day of many fmall Vexations, no fooner 
 one mended than another appeareth : wearied 
 Body and Mind, and yet I would humbly truft 
 my Spirit was more quiet under the fame than 
 fometimes hath beene the cafe : no Letter or 
 Meflage from my Hufband, 
 
 Tried to colledl my thoughts for Reading 
 and Devotion, once ftrongly tempted to omit 
 both, under the plea of WearinefTe and Unfit- 
 nefle, but refifted : read the loth chapter of St, 
 Lukcy Martha^ Martha^ &c. : acknowledged 
 and bewailed my Weaknefle. The fight of the 
 young Face in the Cradle fent me to bed 
 gratefull and happy. 
 
 The lafl: day of my Mother s Sojourn : to- 
 morrow fhe fetts forth into Rutland/hire ; and 
 there will remaine fome Weeks before fhe 
 returns to Wimbledon, My Lord Noel hath 
 engaged to meet her at Huntingdon, May I be 
 fenfible of the greate Comfort and Happinefl^e 
 in that I have been favoured to have my deare 
 Mother fo long with me : many fweet feafons 
 
Lady Willoughby. 
 
 of quiet Meditation^ and afFeftionate Intercourfe 
 have been voiichfafed : Words expreffive of 
 her owne humble andftedfaft Faith^ of Thankef- 
 giving and Praife, fell from her Lippes ; and 
 precious Counfeli and kind Incouragement to 
 mee : to-night as I knelt before her, my Infant 
 in my Arms, fhe laid her Hand upon my 
 Head, and ftroking it fondly faid : Deare 
 Child, may that little one be a Crown of re- 
 joycing to thee as thou art to me ; lead him 
 early to God^ my Daughter ; to the God who 
 has given him unto thee. Deare Mother ! . 
 
 Early In the fore-noon my honoured and 
 deare Mother took her Departure : Let me 
 think more of meeting againe than of the 
 prefent payne of Parting. Some lines of Ben 
 Jonfon I do remember are fwetely written to 
 this effedle, they were given me by a young 
 Friend at parting, who I beleeve was lefle in- 
 different towardes me, than I to him : 
 
 'That Love^ s a bitter Jweet I ne'er conceive 
 Till thejower Minute comes of taking leave ^ 
 And then I tafte it : But as men drinke up 
 In haji the bottom of a medicin'd Cupy 
 And takejomefirrup after^Jo doe I 
 To put all relijh from my Memorie 
 
 13 
 
 1635. 
 
 Auguft 4, 
 Tuejday. 
 
H 
 
 1635. 
 
 Aug. 17, 
 Monday, 
 
 From the Diary of 
 
 Of par ting y drowne it in the hope to meet 
 Shortly againe ; and make our Abjence Jweet. 
 
 Beloved Mother^ the lofle of her prefence 
 maketh my home lonely : but I have Work 
 to doe, and ill fhould I ihow my Love for her, 
 if it remaine neglecfled. 
 
 Rofe before fix : fought the Blefling of the 
 Z^r^upon my daily Path; read the 51 chap. 
 Ifaiahy and 2d. St. Luke. Baby well : John 
 Armftrong requefted to fee me concerning the 
 Harveft-fupper. My Lord ftill abfent putteth 
 me to much Trouble : the Harveft is nearly 
 got in, only the Home-field remaines to be 
 carted : Armftrong will take care enough as to 
 the Supper ; but the People will be difappointed 
 unlefl!e I can prevail on William Willoughby to 
 take his Brother's Place ; hee fl:ands high in 
 favour with our Neighbours, and the fame with 
 our owne People ; and if he could bring with 
 him his young Kinsfolk, wee fliould not faile 
 of Merriment. 
 
 Walked down to the Keeper^s Lodge: 
 Old Bridget fuifers from the rhewmatickes ; 
 bid her fend to the Hall for a Plaifl:er and feme 
 Flannel ; did my endeavours to perfuade her 
 that the fame would bee of greater fervice than 
 
Lady Willoughby. 
 
 the Charm given her by Dame Stitchley ; though 
 as fhe would not confent to leave It ofF, doubt- 
 lefle it will galne all the credit, ihould Bridget's 
 aches and paynes feem to amend. As I re- 
 turned faw Horfemen coming up the AvenuCy 
 made fuch hafte as I could : Tydings of my 
 deare Lord; but hee knows not when he can 
 fett his face Home-wards; defireth mee to 
 write by thefe MefTengers : they did ftay only 
 to reft their Horfes. He fpeaks much in his 
 Letter of a Painter named Vandycky who ftands 
 in great Favour at Court. The Kingy the 
 PtinceSy and the Princefle Mary have fat to 
 him : The Ladies crowd to his Painting-room 
 defirous to fee themfelves perpetuated by his 
 graceful! Pencil. 
 
 The Steward from Stixwood-va^Lnor hath 
 arrived : my Lord is much wanted to vifit his 
 Eftates in Lincolnf/iire ; and Mr. Legh has 
 bufineffe of various forts to fettle before Michael- 
 majs-day : but by none is he fo greatly defired 
 as by his faithfull and loving Wife. My 
 Inexperience makes the prefent Charge bur- 
 thenfome, and I ever fear doing wrong, or 
 omitting that which fhould bee attended to. 
 
 Baby grows finely, and fheweth already a 
 mafterfull Spirit ; he provides Work for my 
 
 1635. 
 
 Aug. 27, 
 Thurjday. . 
 
i6 
 
 1635. 
 
 Aug. 29, 
 Saturday. 
 
 Nov. 24, 
 Tuejday. 
 
 From the Diary of 
 
 Needle, now the time is come that he fliould 
 bee fhort-coated. 
 
 Arofe this Morning rejoycing in the hope 
 that before the day clofed my deareft Lord 
 would be fafely returned : the Day feemed long, 
 but I had at laft the comfort of feeing him 
 who is poffeflbr of my Heart's trueft Affec- 
 tion arrive in health. He thought little Billy 
 much improved : how happy were we in our 
 quiet Home: furely the lines have fallen to me 
 in pleqfant Places. 
 
 The heavy Raine of late hath made much 
 ficknefTe. to abound. Through mercy our 
 Family are preferved in Health ; and Baby has 
 cut a Tooth, difcovered this morning by the 
 fpoon knocking againft it. 
 
 One Thomas Parr is dead at a wonderfull 
 greate age, being, it is faid, 150 yeares old. 
 The Earle of Arundell had him brought to 
 Whitehall^ and the change did fhortly affed his 
 Health : no marvel, poore old Man, he would 
 have beene better pleafed, methinks, to have 
 beene lett alone. 
 
Lady Willoughby. 
 
 1635-6. 
 
 iHe Hollanders have fent an Em- 
 bafly and a noble Prefent on the 
 occafion of the ^eene having 
 another Daughter : there are rare 
 pieces of China and Paintings, one by Tytian, 
 There is talk of a By-pofte from IVickham^ 
 to join the North Pofte, which is expedted to 
 run night and day betweene Edinburgh and 
 London^ to go thither and come back againe 
 in fix days: Men and Horfes will fcarce be 
 found to doe this. 
 
 Young Mr. Gage is put into the Baftille. 
 The Earle of Leycejier hath kindly written to 
 his Mother ; he being Ambaflador at this time 
 Ihe did apply to him for help in this troublous 
 Affaire. 
 
 Baby walked a few fteppes alone, and did 
 
 17 
 
 1635-6. 
 
 January, 
 
 Feb. 23, 
 Tuefday. 
 
 June 6, 
 Monday. 
 
i8 
 
 1636. 
 
 Sept. 2, 
 Friday, 
 
 Sept. 6, 
 Tuefday, 
 
 From the Diary of 
 
 feem greatly pleafed thereat, as were his Pa- 
 i*ents. 
 
 Thefe Lines repeated by one at fupper-time, 
 who hath met with divers Mifchances in his 
 life: 
 
 "The Fortunate have whole TeareSy 
 
 And thoje they choje : 
 But the Unfortunate have onely Bayes^ 
 
 And thofe they loje. 
 
 At Dinner near twenty People ; fome re- 
 maine till next week ; young Harry-Vane^ the 
 Lord Brooke^ and others. My Hujhand brought 
 me a Muff, and a Fan of Oftrichfeathers, and 
 Sir Philip Sydney's Arcadia : the latter moft 
 fuited to my tafte ; it is faid the King dothe 
 hold this Worke in high efteeme. 
 
 In looking back upon the laft few dayes, I 
 have to confeffe in deep Humiliation of Spirit, 
 that I have beene led away by a foolifli vanitie, 
 to take too much Pleafure in the Admiration 
 of others, unworthy the Dignity of a Wife or 
 a Mother : truly it is fayd the Heart is deceit- 
 full above all things^ and defperately wicked. 
 For fuch fhare of Comelineffe as the Creator s 
 Hand hath beftowed upon me, I would not 
 that I fhould find therein food for Pride, or 
 
Liudy Willoughby. 
 
 Selfe-fatisfadlion, beyond that it had found 
 Favour in my Lord's Eyes, he who hath taken 
 me to his Hearths true and pure AiFedlion. 
 I am his in all true Loyalty of AfFedion, and 
 he doubteth not my Heart's Purity ; but me- 
 thought a fhade of Regret pafT'd over his noble 
 Countenance, as he beheld the Wife whom hee 
 delighted to love and to honour, fo carried 
 away by trifling and vanitie. And lett me 
 not, in this Self-examination and fearching of 
 my inmoft Heart, feek to hide from myfelfe 
 that when he bade me good night at the Doore 
 of my Clofet, inftead of lingering at my fide, 
 as is his wont, a feeling of Refentment arofe, 
 and as I enter'd and clofed'the Doore, thoughts 
 of Self-juftification prefented themfelves : but 
 Confcience prevailed, and placed my Conduct 
 in its true light : Selfe-rep roach is hard to 
 beare ; not long fince, and I did think no 
 Trial as regards others foe great as to meet 
 with Injuftice, but to be the caufe of grieving 
 another's Affedlion, and to feel lower'd in the 
 Efteeme of one who hath beene ever readye to 
 think more highly of me than I deferve ; this 
 is grievous to mee, and maketh me feeme 
 hateful! in my owne eyes. I humbled myfelfe 
 before the Lord^ and pray'd that I might be- 
 
 19 
 
 1636. 
 
20 
 
 1636. 
 
 Sept. 8, 
 Thurfday. 
 
 From the Diary of 
 
 Sept. 17, 
 Saturday. 
 
 come more watchfull, and ftrlve daily to follow 
 the Example of Him who was meeke and 
 lowly of Hearte. 
 
 Beloved Hufbandy thy generous Love will 
 forgive thy poore humbled Wife, who does in 
 truth love thee, and reverence thy goodnefle. 
 
 Let me not permit the Circumftances of the 
 laft few days to paffe from my Remembrance 
 untill the Fault committed, and the Sorrow 
 arifing therefrom, have duly impreff'd my 
 Mind : i ft. In the clearer infight Into this 
 weake point of my Charader, may I henceforth 
 take more heed to my Ways : and 2ndly, with 
 the Perception of how flight are the beginnings 
 of Evilly as my deare Mother faith, if the 
 Defire of Praife take pofleffion of the Hearte, 
 it becometh infatiable, and doth eat away the 
 root of all noble and generous Feeling ; and 
 even in lefle degree gives a feverifli reftleff- 
 nefle, that leaves not the Mind and Affections 
 free to fpring up in ftrength and beauty, feek- 
 ing onely the Happineffe of others. My deare 
 Hujband's Gentleneffe hath greatly endeared 
 him to mee : may it be my conftant Endeavour, 
 by all dutifull Affec5lion, to render myfelfe more 
 worthy his Efteeme and Love. 
 
 After having paff'd a week in Lincoln/hire 
 
Lady Willoughby. 
 
 wee are return'd Home. When at Lincoln 
 my Lord tooke me to the Cathedral^ and 
 fhow'd mee the Tomb of his late Father, who 
 died in that Citie in the yeare 1617. After 
 him our little Sonne is named William : Nurje 
 fays Baby has not beene well for fome days 
 paft, fhe thinks he is about his teeth. 
 
 Bahy ill, reftlefle and feverifli, fent off a 
 Meflenger to Ipfwich for the Phifitian there. 
 
 My poore Child worfe ; he takes fcarce any 
 nourifhment, and fuffers greate paine ; he 
 looks up fo piteoufly as if for help from thofe 
 around him. The Chaplaine mentioned him 
 by name at Prayers : this ftartled me : feeing 
 others beleeve him fo ill, my feares encreafe. 
 
 No better to-day : I dare not think : Strength 
 and Spirit needed to the utmoft ; for he likes 
 no one fo well to nurfe him, and hath ever 
 a fweet Smile when I come againe after a (hort 
 abfence. Oh God^ fpare him to me : give mee 
 not this bitter cup. 
 
 Weeks have paff'd and I am childlefTe : yet 
 doe I feeme as one not awaken'd from a fright- 
 full dream. My Child, my Child. 
 
 The Fever hath left me weak: I dare not 
 looke back, and there is nothing now left me 
 to looke forward to. O Mother^ my heart is 
 
 21 
 
 1636. 
 
 Sept. 21, 
 Wednejday, 
 
 oa. 23, 
 
 Sunday, 
 
22 
 
 1636. 
 
 oa. 25, 
 
 Tuefday. 
 
 From the Diary of 
 
 well nigh broken ; how is it that I live ? fliall 
 I ever be able to fay. It is the Lord^ lett him 
 doe what feemeth unto him good. I thought 
 to write downe fome particulars of the Patience 
 and SweetnefTe, the Smile of Recognition when 
 the parch'd Lipps could not fpeake, but I 
 cannot : he is out of payne, and I thank God 
 for that. 
 
 Sat this morning for long with the Bible 
 before me, thoughts too diftradled to read ; 
 at laft turn'd to the Hiftory of the Shunamite 
 woman ; Alas ! no Prophet was here to give 
 me back my Sonne^ and, alas ! neither could I 
 fay unto the Lord^ It is welly when he tooke 
 from me his precious Gift. Beare with me, 
 O mercifull Father : thou knoweft the anguifh 
 of my Heart, and thou alone canft enable me 
 to fay Thy will, not mine, be done. 
 
 My deare Mother writes to comfort me, but 
 a forrow is now mine, in which even fhe can- 
 not give Comfort : She urgeth me to take care 
 of my health for the fake of others : but what is 
 Life to me now } Yet will I try to beare in 
 minde her Injundions, though with a heavy 
 Heart, and with more than indifference to the 
 Profpecft before me. I turn away from the 
 thought of looking upon another Infant's face ; 
 
Lady Willoughby, 
 
 all love for a Child Is in the Grave : yet not in 
 the Grave ; it liveth in Heaven, my precious 
 Childy with thy blefled Spirit ; let me not fpeak 
 in bitternefle of a triall fent me by the Almighty 
 Hand. 
 
 Oft times I feeme to have no power of giving 
 my Mind to Prayer or Meditation, but walke 
 about the houfe, or fitt downe with a Booke or 
 Needleworkbefore me allmofl: without confciouf- 
 nefle & well-nigh without life. What doe all 
 pafl: Trialls & Vexations appeare, now a bur- 
 then of Sorrow is layd upon me, I am unable 
 to beare ? I had known Grief and Difappoint- 
 ment, and already in my fhort experience of 
 life had learnt that this State of Exiftence is 
 onely a Preparation for HappinefTe hereafter, 
 not HappinefTe itfelfe : But a precious Gift 
 came from Heaven, my beautifull Child fmiPd 
 on me ; I held it to my Heart, and did think 
 it was my owne : What great evil have I done 
 in thy fight, O Gody that thou haft thus ftricken 
 me ? 
 
 At Prayers my Lord was fenfibly afFeded 
 by hearing the words Suffer little Children to 
 come unto mCy and forbid them not: for ofjuch is 
 the Kingdome of Heaven : the beholding him 
 thus over-come by ftrong emotion led me to 
 
 23 
 
 1636. 
 
 oa. 26, 
 
 Wednejday. 
 
 oa. 27, 
 
 Thurfday. 
 
24 
 
 1636. 
 
 oa. 29, 
 
 Saturday, 
 
 From the Diary of 
 
 confider my owne Conduct, and I do feare me, 
 I have beene very felfifh in the Indulgence of 
 my own Sorrow, too regardlefle of him who 
 equally with me hath loft the deare Sonne of 
 his Love, and who doth ever ftrive to ftrengthen 
 and fupport me, and would fain lead me to take 
 an Intereft in our family Concerns, and in the 
 Wellfare of our Neighbours, albeit Grief lieth 
 heavy on his Heart. I felt another Reproof 
 in his Looke of tendernefle and commiferation, 
 as at our mid-day meal I fent away the plate 
 the food untafted : I roufed myfelfe to exertion, 
 and was repay'd the effort when his Eye refted 
 on me approvingly. The Servants left the 
 room, he took my Arm within his, and we 
 walked to & fro in fweet and folemn Silence : 
 my Heart, which had been ftrangely fhut up, 
 melted within me, when he utter'd a few gentle 
 Words ; and I felt there was yet fomething left 
 to live for : Surely to him was due the poore 
 remaining Powers of my Mind and Affedions. 
 Arofe this morning with mind more compofed 
 than for fome time paft. Cicely's Mother ill, 
 and I went down to fee her : She is a bright 
 Example of Patience, her Trialls and Sufferings 
 have beene manifold, bodily pain the leaft, has 
 loft three Children in infancy and one daughter 
 
Lady Willoughby, 
 
 grown up : and yet, can it be, has known ftill 
 deeper forrow. 
 
 Returned through the Park : never faw the 
 Cheftnuts and Beeches more beautiful in their 
 autumn tints, the fallen Leaves cruflied plea- 
 fantly beneath my Feet, the Sun was fetting 
 before I was aware, and the Aire grew fuddenly 
 chill. Taking the neareft way, I entered the 
 houfe by a fide door, and there beneath the 
 old Mulberry faw the little Cart and Whip 
 as they had beene left by my poore Child the 
 laft day he was out, when he look'd fo tired, 
 and I carried him in. I ftooped and took up 
 the Whip, and hiding it beneath my cloke, 
 went ftraight up ftairs : no Hand had touched 
 it fince his : the teares I wept over it did me 
 good: it feemed my innocent right to weep 
 over this Token of my Iq/i one. 
 
 Health and ftrength mend : make a point of 
 walking in the Long Gallery whenfoever the 
 weather admits not of my going out: while 
 fo employed repeat Pfalms and other portions 
 oi Holy Writ^ therein finding profitable Subjedls 
 of Meditation and peaceful Thoughts : Often 
 has been brought to my Mind the Text / was 
 brought lowy and he helped me : now, is my 
 deare Mother's Care repaid, in the Help I find 
 
 25 
 
 1636. 
 
 Nov. 14, 
 Monday. 
 
26 
 
 1636. 
 
 Nov. 15, 
 Tuefday. 
 
 From the Diary of 
 
 it to have by me fuch recoUedtion of the Leflbns 
 flie taught. 
 
 My early Habits in the morning have been 
 fadly Interrupted : frequent reftlefle nights, often 
 fleeplefle for hours together, and awakening 
 languid and ill at eafe ; often in the long nights 
 my Fancy is difquieted In looking forward to 
 again becoming a Mother, and that ere long, 
 leaft haply the Infant nouriflied beneath a heart 
 fo faddened by Grief, fhould, if permitted to 
 enter on exlftence, be deprived of that JoyfuU- 
 nefle of nature which is the Birth-right of the 
 young Spirit ; but whatever may be In the 
 Ordering of my Heavenly Father^ let me 
 fubmit: too often have I rebelled agalnft his 
 juft Appointments. In the words oftYitPJalmiJi 
 let me pray. Enter not into judgement with thy 
 Servant y O Lordy my Spirit is overwhelmed 
 within mey my Heart within me is dejolate : hide 
 not thy Face from me : in thee do I truft. 
 
Lady Willoughby. 
 
 1636-7. 
 
 Nee more with a gratefull Heart, 
 doe I record the Mercy of our 
 Heavenly Fat her y in that he hath 
 permitted his unworthy Servant 
 to live to behold the Face of another Little 
 One. Yet now muft I rejoyce with trembling 
 over a Being fo fraile : the fulnefle and bright- 
 nefle of joy of a young Mother can never againe 
 be my Experience, fince that joy has bene the 
 Source of a Suffering and Agony never to be 
 forgotten. Death followed into the Habitation 
 wherein Life had juft tooke up its abode. 
 Not in fhort fpace of time can the Heart 
 recover fuch Difpenfations, and in the Excel- 
 lency of no after joys can it ever forget the 
 ftroke that firft deftroyed its fweeteft Hopes: 
 Death once feene at our hearth leaveth a 
 Shaddow which abideth there for ever. During 
 
 27 
 
 1636-7. 
 
 January 12, 
 Thurjday, 
 
28 
 
 1636-7. 
 
 January 13, 
 Friday. 
 
 1637. 
 May Day. 
 
 From the Diary of 
 
 the long period of SicknefTe that has beene my 
 portion, I have endeavoured through the Divine 
 Grace y profitably to employ the folitary Houres, 
 and doe now fee much Mercy in the return to 
 Health being graduall. The needfull Quiett 
 led me to feek a Spirituall Communion, whereby 
 I humbly hope I am the better fitted for the 
 Performance of the feveral Duties of Life, 
 trufting not in my owne Strength, that truly 
 would be a broken reed. Lord! thy rod and 
 thy ftaff they comfort me : yea, even the rod, 
 though it hath fmitten me to the earth. 
 
 The Chrijiening is to be next weeke : the 
 name, after fome difficulty in deciding thereon, 
 fixed to be Diana. But few of our Relations 
 are aiked this time to be prefent ; to both of 
 us the ceremony will give rife to melancholly 
 thought. Overheard Nur/e telling one of the 
 Women that at the former Chrijiening the 
 Infant cried not : there is a Country Saying, 
 that a Child which crieth not when fprinkled 
 in Baptifm will not live. 
 
 We walked down to the Village at an early 
 houre, juft in time to fee the Proceffion of the 
 May-pole, which was adorned with Ribbons 
 and Garlands : Lads and Lafles were at their 
 merry Games, the Queene, in her holie-day 
 
Lady Willoughby. 
 
 Finery and Crowne of floures, looking happier 
 than the Wearer of a real Crown, I ween : 
 groups of Old People looking on : for a while 
 there was a lack of Young Men and Maidens : 
 but a number fhortly appeared as Robin Hood^ 
 Maid Marten^ (jfc. Methought fome of the 
 Elder Folks look'd grave, and at one fide of 
 the Green a ftern looking Man, drefT'd in a 
 loofe Coat, and a high crown'd hat, with the 
 hair cut clofe, had colleded a good many round 
 him, and was holding forth in a loud harfh tone. 
 My Hujband left me and went towards them : 
 after liftening a few minutes to the Difcourfe, 
 he made as though he would fpeak ; but mett 
 with difcourteous reception, and return'd with 
 a fmile on his face, faying. The Speaker look'd 
 on his long curPd Locks, and lace RufFs with 
 too great Abhorrence to think him worthy his 
 Notice, and onely went on with the more 
 BitternefTe to fet forth the diabolical Wicked- 
 nefle of the Dance and the Vanity of all fuch 
 Amufements. I fate mee down by old Bridget^ 
 who had hobbled down in fpite of her reuma- 
 ticke paynes : poore Smythe too had crept out, 
 wan and feeble from ague. After a while, the 
 fport feeming to flag, my Lord offered to head 
 a party at Prifon-barSy and was cordially greeted. 
 
 29 
 
 1637. 
 
30 
 
 1637. 
 
 Jun€ I, 
 Thurfday. 
 
 June 27. 
 Tuefday, 
 
 From the Diary of 
 
 and William Willoughby coming up with a Sonne 
 of Sir Robert Crane and one or two more young 
 Men, the game was fett on with great fpiritt. 
 Ale and Viduals came down from the Hall 
 and other Quarters, and I left the Greene, 
 There was no want of Merriment the reft of 
 the day : and the Preacher and his Party re- 
 mained not long to interfere with the ufuall 
 Proceedings. 
 
 The deare Child thrives apace : againe and 
 againe I looke at her in the Cradle & fay, Lord^ 
 /pare this one unto me, I have thought myfelfe 
 refigned to my Lofle ; howbeit, a Weight is 
 on my Spiritt that no Effort or Time has yet 
 fhaken off: will it be ever thus ? Young, as I 
 am, is Hope fo blighted that it will never more 
 unfold its faire Bloflbm ? Let me not indulge 
 thefe Meditations : but be willing to take up 
 my Crojfe dayly, and follow after Chriji. He 
 hath promifed to make the Burthen light to 
 fuch as come to him. 
 
 Hope that I have latterly made fome Pro- 
 grefle in the fubduing Selfe, fo far as attaining 
 unto a greater Defire to give up my own will 
 to that of others, and conform to their pleafure ; 
 more efpecially his who hath rightfull Claim 
 to my dutifull Obedience and Companionfhip 
 
Lady Willoughby. 
 
 in thofe matters that intereift him : herein onely 
 can true Satisfadlion be found in wedded Life : 
 may I every day more and more feeke to find 
 Satisfaction and Pleafure in thofe Things wherein 
 he is concerned. At noon to-day we walk'd 
 down to the Sheep-Shearing : the poor Sheep 
 ftruggle at the firft againft their fate^ but how 
 quietly do they fubmit in the end : the Lambs 
 did keep up a continued Bleating; it is a 
 marvell how they find out their owne Mothers, 
 who come back to them fo changed. One 
 large Ram butted with fuch force againft one 
 of the younger Lads that he pufh'd him into 
 the Water : much laughter thereat, and many 
 a paffing Joke we heard on his overthrow. 
 On our way home two curley-headed Children 
 prefented us with Pofies of Gilliflowers and 
 Cowflip tufts, of which they had their aprons 
 full : bade them go up to the Hall with them: 
 we gave them a Silver Groat, which they 
 look'd at with fome perplexity, but curtfied 
 & thank'd us with truftfull Countenances : the 
 youngeft one, ftrong made and acftive, look'd 
 not much older than our fweet Child might 
 have now bene, had he lived. 
 
 Late in the day Mr. Gage rode up : he tells 
 us Mr. John Hampden hath refufed the late 
 
 31 
 
 1637. 
 
 July i9> 
 
 JVednefday, 
 
32 
 
 1637. 
 
 July 24, 
 Monday. 
 
 July 25, 
 
 "Tuefday. 
 
 From the Diary of 
 
 demand for Ship-money : Difcontent increafing 
 every where. The proceedings of the Starve 
 Chamber againft Prynne and others have roufed 
 the whole country, even many who before 
 tooke not part with the Malcontents doe now 
 exprefle their Abhorrence of this Tyranny. 
 My Hujband will go to London ftraightway. 
 
 With a heavy heart faw my deare Lord de- 
 part this forenoon : Armjirong accompanying 
 him as farr as Ip/wich : Struggled againft de- 
 fponding Thoughts, and paff'd fome time in the 
 Nur/eryy to give myfelfe Occupation of Mind 
 as well as Hands. After a Walk on the Terrace, 
 went to Alice's Room : ftie hath long beene 
 ailing: fate fome while with her, to cheer her, 
 as I knew fhe would take to heart this voyage 
 to London y which Place, in her eyes, doth 
 abound with all manner of Wickednefle and 
 Danger. 
 
 To-night John Armjirong returned, bearing 
 me a kind Farewell from his Matter. He fay th 
 Mr. John Hampden s Refufal is greatly talked 
 about: likewife it is rumour'd the Lord Say hath 
 refufed the Demand for Ship-money with equal 
 pertinatioufnefTe. Armjirong ftopp'd as he 
 pafTd through Wickham at the Blackfmith's, 
 the Head-quarters of News and Country Goflip: 
 
Lady Willoughby. 
 
 he there met with a Packman, who fays there 
 be terrible Tumults in the North : at Eden- 
 burgh the Bi/hep well nigh killed. Stones and 
 other Mifliles thrown at him in the Pulpit, 
 fo fbon as he commenced reading the Prayer 
 Booke^ as ordered in Council: on leaving the 
 Church he was caft down and nearly trod to 
 death. Some fay the King is like to go to 
 Edenburgh to fettle thefe matters in perfon 
 with the Pre/by tery. 
 
 Tidings of my Lord: he keeps well in health : 
 he faith Judgement in Mr. Hampden's caufe is 
 deferred till next Term : two of the Judges 
 are on his fide. 
 
 Baby well : have fome Thoughts of weaning 
 her, my own ftrength failing: but put it oiF 
 day after day, it is hard to difmifTe her from 
 the food and warmth which have been hers by 
 right fo long, and break this firft Bond of 
 Companionfhip and mutual Dependence. 
 
 33 
 
 1637. 
 
 Auguft 3, 
 nurfday. 
 
34 
 
 1638-9. 
 
 Date wanting. 
 
 From the Diary of 
 
 1638-9. 
 
 Ince Judgement hath beene given 
 againft Mr. Hampden^ my deare 
 Hujband hath had divers Con- 
 ferences with the Lords Say and 
 Brooke^ refpefting their leaving the Country. 
 One Mr. Oliver Cromwell they fpeak of, as 
 much ftirr'd by the unhappy ftate of Affaires, 
 and they have found him to be a man of fhrewd 
 Judgement, and poffeffmg great Energy and 
 Determination. 
 
 The King at Yorke : and has required the 
 Nobility and Officers to take an Oath that they 
 do abhorr all Rebellions, and efpecially fuch as 
 do arife out of Religion. The Lords Say and 
 Brooke refufing to take the fame, have been 
 difmiff'd to their homes. The King proceedeth 
 to Berwick^ there to meet the Scotch Deputies. 
 Much Difcontent that the King calleth no 
 Parliament. 
 
Lady Willoughby. 
 
 1639-40. 
 
 Y firft thoughts are due to thee, 
 O Heavenly Father^ who haft 
 mercifully permitted the paft 
 Yeare to clofe and the prefent to 
 open upon us, a thankfull and happy Family : 
 Gracioufly accept my imperfed Thankfgiving, 
 and the Adoration of a Heart which I with 
 unfeigned humility anew dedicate to thee. By 
 the Aide of thy Holy Sprit lead me every day 
 I live to love thee more worthily and ferve 
 thee more acceptably. May I truly repent of 
 my manifold Tranfgreffions, my Pride, my 
 rebellious Spirit which hath too often ftruggled 
 againft the juft Appointments of thy Provi- 
 dence : do thou, O Gody renew a right Spiritt 
 within me. Lord, thou haft made mee to be 
 a Mother, O yet fpare the fweet Children thou 
 haft given unto me : and may I never lofe 
 fight of the Duty which is entrufted to me; 
 
 1639-40. 
 
 January i, 
 Wednefday. 
 
36 
 
 i639-4<^. 
 
 From the Diary of 
 
 but fo train them that they may be all gathered 
 into thy Fold^ at the greate Day of Account. 
 May thy Bleffing reft upon them, upon my 
 Hufbandf and on all deare unto us. And to 
 thy fatherly Care, thy Wifdom, and thy Love 
 may we truft all that concerns us, in unftiaken 
 Faith, and in the blefled Hope of eternal 
 Life, through Jefus Chriji our Lord and Sa- 
 viour. 
 
 Went to the Nurferie: little Fanny yet afleep. 
 Took Di by the hand, and went down to 
 Prayers : ftie was very quiet and well-behaved, 
 and as fhe knelt down betweene her Father 
 and me, my Mind was brought into a ftate of 
 much Sweetnefle and Repofe as the gracious 
 Invitation of the blefled Saviour to bring our 
 little Children unto him, was brought to my 
 remembrance. 
 
 Methought the Chaplain's Difcourfe favour'd 
 fomewhat of pharifaical gloom and aufterity, 
 and we were therefore in no little perplexity 
 when Armftrong came into the Hall after break- 
 faft, to fay the Domeftics petition'd for a Dance 
 and Chrijlmajfe Games to-night according to 
 old Ufage. We gave our confent. The 
 Chaplain exprefl^ed his Diflatisfadlion, never- 
 thelefle the Evening paft merrily: a goodly 
 
Lady Willoughby. 
 
 Affembly were gathered together of our Neigh- 
 bours, and to fhow our Good-will we looked 
 on for a while, and my Lord led ofF the firfte 
 Dance with the Bailiff's Daughter : the young 
 Men of our Party followed his Example, and 
 chofe out the prettied looking Damfels, my 
 favourite Cicely being one of them ; and they 
 went down a long Country Dance, well pleafed 
 therewith. Old blind John and his Son play'd 
 the viol and pipe : Games followed, bob-apple 
 and the like: and Alice had taken good care 
 for the Supper. Sounds of Laughing and 
 Singing reached us long after we left them. 
 
 Newes hath reached us that the King has 
 diflblved the 'Parliament though fo lately mett, 
 he being offended by the Commons pafTing a 
 Refolution that the DifculTion and RedrefTe of 
 Grievances fhould precede the Vote of Supply. 
 They complained that the interference of the 
 Lords was a Violation of their Priviledges. 
 An eloquent Speech by Mr. Waller : fuch a 
 Houfe fuited not the King. 
 
 My Hujband writes me word that Mr. Bell- 
 afis and Sir John Hotham are fent to the T^ower^ 
 onely Offence alleged, their Speeches. The 
 Houfe of the Lord Brooke fearched for Papers, 
 his Study and Cabinets broken open. A Con- 
 
 37 
 
 1640. 
 
 May 7, 
 Tburfday, 
 
 May 9, 
 Saturday, 
 
38 
 
 1640. 
 
 May 25, 
 Monday^ 
 
 From the Diary of 
 
 vocation of Clergy hath bene held, the Canons 
 iflued by them, fuch as to throw the whole 
 Nation into a ferment Writs of Ship-money 
 in greater number than ever, and Bullion 
 feized, the property of Merchants, and kept 
 by them in the Tower for Safety. 
 
 No News for fome days. The Chapter of 
 the Morning greatly impreff'd my Mind with 
 the Goodnefle of God towards his feeble and 
 ignorant Children : the Holy Scriptures do 
 abound with Words of Confolation and En- 
 couragement to the poore and lowly, the hewers 
 of wood and drawers of water : the meek will he 
 guide in judgement. Learning and great Ability, 
 blefled be God^ are not needed to the right 
 Underftanding of the Good Tydings of the 
 GoJpL 
 
 The poore blind Widow pondering in her 
 Heart the Words of JeJuSy her Memory ftored 
 with the Readings of her younger days, her 
 Spirit rich in Love and Faith, findeth the true 
 Bread of Life, and is perhaps more capable of 
 receiving the Enlightening of the Holy Spirit 
 in the Study of Divine Truth, than the Learned 
 who truft in their own reafon and fcholaftick 
 attainements. Alfo in looking for what is God's 
 Will concerning them, I oft think the poore 
 
Lady Willoughby. 
 
 fimple minded People have a wife Judgement 
 given to them in the BufinefTe of Life. A 
 Vifit to old Betty's Cottage feldom faileth to 
 give me fuch Senfe of her truely virtuous and 
 pious Life, as to make me look upon this 
 paterne of Goodnefle with fincere defire to 
 follow the fame. She hath loft Hufband and 
 Children, fave one Son onely who left her 
 years agoe : fhe knoweth not if he be yet living : 
 and (he hath been totally blind more than 
 fifteen yeares. Truely hath Patience here her 
 perfecfb work. 
 
 The Mayor and Sheriffe of London have 
 beene brought before the Starve Chamber for 
 Slacknefle in Levying the Ship-mony. 
 
 Both Children ill the paft week : through 
 Mercy recovering. Little Fanny but juft faved: 
 my onely Experience in a child's illnefle having 
 beene fo unhappy, I found it hard to keep my 
 feares in fubjedion ; yet was it very needfull. 
 What fhall I render unto the Lord for all his 
 benefits ? 
 
 Have much comfort in the ferious and 
 feeling way in which little Di fays her Prayers : 
 Ihe is too young to underftand much, but the 
 Habit is important, and wee know not at how 
 earlye an age the Holy Spirit communeth with 
 
 39 
 
 1640. 
 
 May 27, 
 Wednefday. 
 
 June 17, 
 fVedneJday, 
 
40 
 
 1640. 
 
 June 27, 
 Saturday. 
 
 July 24, 
 Friday, 
 
 Sept. I, 
 Tuejday. 
 
 From the Diary of 
 
 the tender Heart of the young. And a Child's 
 Mind flops not at Difficulties as ours does: 
 when told that God heareth Prayer from his 
 Throne in Heaven, the belief is entire, and 
 fhe queftioneth not. I verily believe, the 
 Doc5lrine that we fhould walk by Faith and 
 not by Sight, is eafier to a young Child than 
 to us, whofe AiFedions have become engrafted 
 on earthly Objeds, and the firft Simplicity of 
 Faith obfcured. And furely we fhould confider 
 it a facred Trufl given to us, to dire<5t this in- 
 born Trufl and ready Belief of the little Child 
 to Him who implanted it. 
 
 Nurferie profpers : T>i vaflly flronger, and 
 hungry as Nurfe can defire. Fanny's Cheeks 
 too are fomewhat more plump and rofy. 
 
 The young Prince hath beene chriften'd 
 Henry, the ceremonie perform'd at Oatlands 
 by the Archbifhop of Canterbury. 
 
 The Birth of this my third Baby now living, 
 occafion of renewed Thankfgiving and Praife: 
 though I doubt not duly thankful, yet my 
 deare Hujband had hoped another Sonne would 
 have beene given him; and this proving other- 
 wife, hath brought fome Difappointment. He 
 would have counted it a great HappinefTe to 
 have feene an Heir to his Title and Eflates : 
 
Lady Willoughby. 
 
 but he fayeth not much on the fubjed:, and 
 methought kifled his new-borne Daughter with 
 a gladfome Smile upon his Countenance. I 
 had the wifh flie fliould be named Theodofta^ 
 after my deare and honoured Mother : but my 
 Lord did fo greatly defire that fhe fhould be 
 called Elizabethy after mee, I confented thereto, 
 wifhing to confult his Pleafure in this, as in 
 all things elfe in which it can be confulted by 
 any giving up on my parte: though I the 
 more regret that it muft be fo, feeing that my 
 Uncle Noel has not given the Name of 'Theo- 
 dofia to either of his Daughters. 
 
 Find myfelfe unable to attend much to 
 houfehold Affaires, and leave them to Alice's 
 faithfull overfight. 
 
 Lord Say writes that a Petition has beene 
 prefented to the King by twelve Peers ^ praying 
 him to call a Parliament ; fo likewife have the 
 Citizens of London, 
 
 MefTenger arrived from the Mayor of Ipf- 
 wich: Writts are iflued for the 3rd o? November. 
 It is hoped Mr. Oliver Cromwell will be re- 
 turned for Cambridge, My deare Hujband hath 
 again departed : he doth hope to return for 
 a few Days at Chrijimajfe, 
 
 The King hath opened Parliament in perfon : 
 
 41 
 
 1640. 
 
 Sept. 26, 
 Saturday, 
 
 oet. 20, 
 
 Tuejday, 
 
42 
 
 1640. 
 
 Nov. 9, 
 Monday, 
 
 Dec. 2, 
 JVedntjday^ 
 
 Dec. 15, 
 
 Tuejday, 
 
 Dec. 24, 
 
 Thurfday, 
 
 From the Diary of 
 
 they fay he look'd pale and dejefted. The 
 Commons did make Choice in hafte of Lenthall 
 a Barrifter for Speaker^ inftead of one Gardiner ^ 
 he being the King's Choice. They have paff'd 
 a Refolution that Prynne^ Burton^ and Dr. 
 Bajiwick fhould be fent for forthwith by 
 Warrant of the Houfe. The Table is loaded 
 with Petitions, prefented by hundreds crying 
 out No Bi/hops : No Starre Chamber. 
 
 On the 28th. the three Puritans^ as they are 
 called, liberated from their diftant Dungeons, 
 came up to London^ and were mett by 5000 
 Perfons. 
 
 Heard to-day that the Earle of Strafford 
 was committed to the Tower. It is fayd he 
 urgently declined appearing in the Houfe^ but 
 the King infifted, making him folemn Aflur- 
 ances of Safety : but he no fooner entered the 
 Houfe than he was put under Arreft. 
 
 The determined Meafures of the Commons 
 fill all People with Amazement. The Arch- 
 bijhop of Canterbury is accufed of High Trea- 
 fon, and committed to the UJher : it is fayd he 
 hath beene forced to fell his plate to raife 
 money wherewith to pay the fine of 500 
 pounds. And a Refolution has been pafT'd, 
 that for Bi/hops or other Clergymen to be in 
 
Lady Willoughby. 
 
 the Commiffion of the Peace, or to have any 
 Judicial Powers in the Starve Chamber^ or in 
 any Civil Courts, is a hindrance to their 
 Spiritual Fundions, &c. This feemeth true 
 enough : greate need have all Parties to pray 
 to be preferved from Excefle, or being carried 
 away by the heate of Party Spirit and perfonal 
 Refentment. The Cruelty and Severity exer- 
 cifed by Archbifliop Laud in Scotland^ and the 
 Earl's Tyranny and Wickednefle in Ireland^ 
 have raifed them enemies, who wifh nothing 
 fo much as their Death. 
 
 43 
 
 1640. 
 
44 
 
 From the Diary of 
 
 1640-Z. 
 
 ^^^H 
 
 I 640- 1. 
 
 |^^j^^^g%jFter Prayers this morning my 
 ^^^>^ v^ L^r<^ beckoned to the Servants 
 iB/j^^Hj to remaine : He commended 
 ^^%i^^^ them for the faithfull performance 
 of their Duties, and exprefled his Confidence in 
 their fteady Attachment and Services, efpecially 
 in his abfence, which was like to be protrafted : 
 They bowed and curtfied ; and Armftrong^ as 
 Spokefman for the reft, fayd, You may depend 
 upon us all, my Lord : our Hearts and our 
 Hands are my Lady's, God blefle her. 
 
 I knew not till to-day that my Hujhand's 
 Return would be more uncertaine than hath 
 often beene the cafe : it dependeth much upon 
 the Termination of Lord Strafford's Tryal : 
 moft are of the minde he will be found guilty ; 
 & that nothing can then fave him, unleffe the 
 King prove that he can be true to his promife. 
 
Lady Willoughby. 
 
 when the Life of one whom he hath ever pro- 
 feff'd to hold in great Efteeme and AiFedion, 
 is at ftake : but no man trufts the King, The 
 better ground of hope for Strafford^ is the 
 lenient Temper of the good Earl of Bedford^ 
 and his Influence with the Houje, 
 
 In the forenoon accompanied my Hujband 
 at the Settlement of Accounts with Armftrong : 
 and aflifled in copying the different Items into 
 the Booke wherein my Lord hath entered for 
 fome yeares paft the Items of Perfonal and 
 Family Charges; keeping another for the 
 Accounts of Income, Rents, &c. chiefly from 
 his Lincoln/hire Property ; this Manor bring- 
 ing in but little. 
 
 This was new Worke to mee; but I did 
 my beft, it feeming defirable I fliould, fo 
 farre as my poore Ability ferveth, render my- 
 felfe competent to fettle Accompts with Arm- 
 ftrong every weeke, as is the pradice of my 
 Lord when he is at Home : and likewife he 
 wiflieth mee to be acquainted with our Re- 
 fources. He had wonderfull Patience with 
 my Ignorance, and did kindly commend my 
 unfkillfuU Performance, not fuff^ering me to 
 be difcouraged, though I proved more Hin- 
 drance than Help. I had had fo many Feares 
 
 45 
 1640 1. 
 
46 
 
 1 640- 1. 
 
 January 11, 
 Monday. 
 
 January 12, 
 Tuejday. 
 
 From the Diary of 
 
 both of doing wrong and incurring his Dif- 
 pleafure, that in my Satisfadlion I kifled the 
 deare Hand that did with fo much eafe correc5t 
 my Errors, grateful! to the kind Heart by 
 which it was guided. 
 
 Sir John Hot ham arrived from Hull on his 
 way to London : and purpofing to proceed to- 
 morrow, my deare Lord will accomxpany him. 
 Sir John feemeth well difpofed. Thought my 
 Hujband gave much Heed to his Converfation, 
 as he remarked that with twelve Men, Arms, 
 and Provifion, he could hold out this Houfe 
 againft a confiderable Force, and went into 
 the Detail of the Arrangements he would make, 
 if it fo chanced it was attacked by an Enemy. 
 
 Thefe are fearefull times, let mee be en- 
 creafingly vigilant ; and whatfoever happeneth, 
 be faithfull to the Duties of my prefent Station, 
 Wife and Mother ; and a large Houfehold, the 
 Charge whereof is much left to mee : fufRcient 
 Care for one of but little Experience, and with 
 Health not fo good as might be wiflied. 
 
 Read in Ifaiah chapter 26, thefe Words of 
 Comfort : Thou keepeji him in perfe^ Peace 
 whoje Mind is Jiayed upon Thee^ becauje he 
 trujleth in Thee: May I attaine unto this truft, 
 need have I of better Strength than my own 
 
Lady Willoughby. 
 
 at this Time when my deareft Life may be in 
 circumftances of Danger ; at a Time like this, 
 who is fafe ? the King ever playing falfe with 
 the Commons y and difregarding their Privileges, 
 & the Houje now fitting in Judgement on his 
 favoured Servant : yet whatfoever Danger may 
 threaten, I would not that my Hujband fhould 
 defert his Pofte; rather let mee rejoyce that 
 he ftandeth up in his place to defend the 
 People's Rights. My two Coufins from Rut- 
 land/hire will beare me company during fome 
 Portion of his Abfence. What Mercy that 
 our little Ones are well, and that I am not left 
 in a childleffe Home. 
 
 On Monday the Archbijhop was removed 
 to the "Tower from Matter Maxwell's houfe 
 where he hath beene allowed to remaine fince 
 his commitment : from Cheapftde to the Tower 
 he was followed and railed at by the people, 
 the which he took quietly. 
 
 Turning back the leaves of this Diary I fee 
 many Interruptions, in fome Places for Months 
 together, no Notice or Note of any fort. The 
 Period of my deare Mother's laft Sicknefle is 
 unrecorded : but fo deeply engraven on my 
 Memory are the Events of that mournfull 
 Time, that I believe I may without danger of 
 
 47 
 
 1 64.0- 1. 
 
 March 6, 
 Saturday. 
 
 March 8, 
 Monday. 
 
48 
 
 1 640- 1. 
 
 From the Diary of 
 
 Error therein, commit to Paper fome few 
 Particulars. It may be a Satisfaftion hereafter, 
 that thefe fhould not be trufted wholly to 
 RecoUeftion, which may then fail me. 
 
 I remember as clearly as if 'twas no longer 
 ago than yefterday, the Day whereon my 
 Mother arrived, which did afterwards prove to 
 be the laft time it was ever my Happinefle to 
 welcome her under our Roof. The Afternoon 
 was calm and beautifull, and the Sunne low in 
 the Weft caufed the Shadows to fall at length 
 acrofle the Grafle, the Honeyfuckle over the 
 Doorway was covered with its pale lufcious 
 Flowers, which hung down untill fome of the 
 trailing Branches loft themfelves in the old 
 Sweet-brier Bufti, and the White Rofe, my 
 Mother's favourite Tree, was arrayed in its 
 faire BlofToms. As we ftood looking at thefe, 
 ihe did prefently arrive. Methought fhe 
 ftepped feebly from her Coach ; and when I 
 gave her fuch aid as I could, fhe fayd with a 
 mournful! yet fweet fmile, I need a ftronger 
 Arme now than thine, my Daughter: one 
 equally kind, I do fully believe, fhe added as 
 fhe leaned on my Hujhand V. Saddeft Thoughts 
 took hold of me, yet did I ufe my beft endea- 
 vour to conceal the Feare that ftruck fuddenly 
 
Lady Willoughby. 
 
 on my Heart, that her Tarryance here would 
 not be for long. She looked better when feated 
 in her accuftomed Chaire : and her pale Cheek 
 had a delicate colour, which gave me a Hope 
 that her Weaknefle was not fo great as at firft 
 did appeare, and that the Difficulty in Walking 
 might be from her having fate fo long in the 
 Coach, caufing a degree of StiiFnefle. Before 
 retiring to her Chamber, fhe had converfed 
 with much of her ufuall Chearfulnefle : wee 
 accompanied her up the ftaires one on each fide 
 of her : when taking leave for the night, flie 
 faid to my Hufband, I feare me I fiiall be a 
 Burthen to you. Lord Willoughhy^ but not for 
 long : but I meant not your kind Heart would 
 fo confider me. I thank you ; thank you both : 
 may God blefl^e you. 
 
 For the fpace of two or three weekes my 
 Mother's State did fo alternate day by day, the 
 one day feeming to regaine the Strength lofl: 
 the previous one, that I perceived not any great 
 Change in her Appearance, fave that her Breath- 
 ing was fomewhat hurried by any exertion more 
 than common. I read to her daily, morning and 
 evening Portions of the Scriptures^ her favourite 
 Paflages often repeated : of fuch I might make 
 particular Mention, of the Pjalmes and the 
 
 49 
 
 1 640- 1. 
 
5° 
 
 1 640- 1. 
 
 From the Diary of 
 
 Go/pells. She did frequently remark thereon 
 with much earneftnefle and fweetnefle. She 
 was able moft days to walk out a little : and 
 fometimes, fhe, being unwilling to difappoint 
 my Defires, would confent to be borne on a 
 Chaire by two of the Men, never failing to 
 thank them with much Kindnefle of manner, 
 and expreffing her concerne at giving this 
 Trouble. One fore-noon I did prevaile with 
 her to let them carry her a confiderable diftance 
 from the Houfe, to a fheltered funny Spot, 
 whereunto we did oft refort formerly to hear 
 the Wood-pigeons which frequented the Firre 
 Trees hereabout. We feated ourfelves, and 
 did pafle an houre or two very pleafantly : fhe 
 remarked how mercifully it was ordered, that 
 thefe Pleafures (hould remaine to the laft Days 
 of Life ; that when the Infirmities of Age make 
 the Company of others burthenfome to us, and 
 ourfelves a burthen to them, the quiet Con- 
 templation of the Workes of God affords a 
 fimple Pleafure which needeth not aught elfe 
 than a contented Minde to enjoy : the Singing 
 of Birds, even a fingle Flower, or a pretty Spot 
 like this, with its bank of Primrofes and the 
 Brooke running in there below, and this warm 
 Sunlhine, how pleafant are they. They take 
 
Lady Willoughby. 
 
 back the Thoughts to our Youth, which Age 
 doth love to look back upon. She then related 
 to me many Paflages of her early Life, wherein 
 was obfervable the fame Love of natural Beauty 
 that doth now minifter in fo large a meafure to 
 our Enjoyment. 
 
 The fweet Seafon of Spring was delightfull 
 to her beyond any other Time of the Yeare : 
 yet in all did fhe recognize the bountifull 
 Hand of the Creator: and moft aptly drew 
 from all his Workes thofe Divine Teachings 
 made manifeft to the pious and lowly Minde 
 unto whom Day unto Day uttereth Speechy 
 and Night unto Night fheweth Knowledge, In 
 the Quietnefle of Contemplation, the ftill fmall 
 voice of God findeth a Place in the Heart : fhe 
 had liftened thereunto in the days of her Youth, 
 and in Age fhe reapeth her Reward : the Yeares 
 draw not nigh unto her when fhe will fay / 
 have no pleafure in them. Such were my thoughts, 
 as I beheld her placid Enjoyment, and heard 
 her commend the delicate Beauty of a Flower 
 fhe held in her Hand, remarking that fhe looked 
 upon this Portion of Creation as in a particular 
 manner worthy of our facred regard, the Flowers 
 of the Field being fanftified by our Z^r/^ teach- 
 ing from them LefTons of Faithfulnefle in the 
 
 SI 
 
 1 640- 1. 
 
52 
 
 1 640- 1, 
 
 From the Diary of 
 
 WIfdom and Love of our Heavenly Father, 
 She afked me If I would repeate the 90th and 
 91ft PJalmeSy which I did for the moft part; 
 (he repeated after me the words, Tet is their 
 Strength Labour and Sorrow. Three fcore and 
 ten Yeares I have not feene : and this lengthened 
 Span of Life may not be ordained for me, yet 
 in the latter Days of my Pilgrimage thus farre 
 toward the Grave, the Lord hath layd upon me 
 no Burthen which his Love hath not made light 
 and eafy to be borne : Sight and Hearing 
 remaine, and the Ufe of my Limbs fo farre as 
 an old woman needeth. Surely Goodnefle and 
 Mercy have followed me all the Days of my 
 Life, and will, I doubt not, to the clofe : and 
 my evening Sun will, I humbly hope, be per- 
 mitted to fet in brightnefle. She took a Rofe- 
 bud which I had gathered, and fayd, This bud 
 will never open; but fome there are which will 
 unfold in Heaven. She look'd earneftly in my 
 Face : I perceived her meaning. My precious 
 Childy mine that is in Heaven, I fayd, and could 
 not refraine from Teares. Calm thyfelfe, my 
 Daughter: I fhall foone meet him, if I am 
 found worthy to be where his pure Spirit is : 
 let me feel as a Link between thy Soul and his. 
 Oh that I may one day meet there all my deare 
 
Lady Willoughby. 
 
 Children : many have been my Bereavements, 
 but Mercy, tender Mercy was in all my Afflic- 
 tions. We arofe, and fhe was able to walk a 
 good part of the Way towards the Houfe, untill 
 the Servants mett us. Henceforth my Mother 
 left the Houfe but feldom, and foone fhowed 
 herfelf incapable of this much exertion : her 
 ftrength diminifhed daily, and fhe became fcarce 
 able to quit her chamber. 
 
 She defiredone day to fpeak withmy Hujband^ 
 and communicated to him her convidion that 
 there remained to her but a fhort Time to live, 
 and requefted him to prepare me for her im- 
 mediate departure to Wimbledon^ talking of 
 fetting forth the next Day : but it was too late, 
 fhe was too weake to bear moving : fhe tooke 
 to her bed, and I thenceforth left her not, fave 
 when wanted in the Nurferie, 
 
 One Night, it was the Sabbath^ fhe called us 
 both to her Bed-fide, exprefTed her HappinefTe 
 in beholding us fo united in the bonds of Affec- 
 tion and Friendfhip : in a mofl touching manner 
 addrefTed my Hujhand^ commended me as her 
 chief earthly Treafure to his continued tender 
 Care and Love, and then, the Teares running 
 down her Face, thanked him for the KindnefTe 
 and GentlenefTe he had alwayes fhewn to her 
 
 53 
 
 1640-1. 
 
54 
 
 1 640- 1, 
 
 From the Diary of 
 
 beloved Daughter : ihe prefTed our two Hands 
 together, rayf'd herfelfe up, and in a low 
 tremulous Tone, flowly utter'd as nearly as 
 I can remember them, thefe Words : 
 
 Allmighty Father, behold theje my Children : 
 blejfe them in each other -and in their Children : 
 keepe them in the Path of Right eoufnejjfe : prote^ 
 them in Danger ^ comfort them in Affli5iion^ and 
 when they come to paffe through the Valley of the 
 Shadow of Deaths let their fpirit faint noty 
 neither be afraid: but let them lay hold on the 
 Promifes of Eternal Life^ through Faith in 
 Chrift Jefus our Lord and Saviour. Amen. 
 
 She funk back exhaufted, and revived not 
 againe to hold much Intercourfe with us. 
 Her Countenance, though at times marked by 
 SuiFering, was Calm and Peacefull : her Eyes 
 moftly clofed as in Sleep : the Silvery Hair 
 parted on her Forehead : flie lay throughout 
 the remainder of the day without taking notice 
 of any thing: twice or thrice fhe afk'd for 
 Water to drink, and fmil'd affedbionately upon 
 all around. 
 
 Late in the evening fhe fayd. Is Mabel 
 here } her faithfull Servant approach'd near 
 the Bed. She had taken leave the day before 
 of fuch of our Domeftics as fhe knew perfon- 
 
Lady Willoughby. 
 
 ally, and now gave MefTages of Remembrance 
 to thofe at Wimbledon^ not forgetting one or 
 two poore aged Woemen to whom flie had 
 beene a good Friend in their old Age of 
 Poverty. Againe flie became much exhaufted, 
 and we thought the faint Breathing muft foon 
 ceafe : but (he fo remained fome houres. About 
 five of the clock in the morning fhe opened her 
 eyes : the early Sunne fhon in at the Cafement, 
 which was at the fartheifl: fide from the Bed : 
 file appeared confcious of the Daylight, and we 
 could partly diftinguifh the Words, Heaven^ no 
 Sun^ the Glory of God, the light thereof. She 
 look'd on all that were neare unto her, and we 
 thought fhe fayd, Deare Children, I ftoop'd 
 to kifl^e her : with a laft Effort fiie returned 
 my Embrace; and as I gently layd her Head 
 on the Pillow, her pure Spirit left its earthly 
 Manfion. 
 
 In the ftillnefle of this awful Moment, my 
 Mind was impreff'd with the Belief that her 
 pafling Spirit look'd on her weeping Family 
 with a Love fet free from all earthly Feare in 
 the perfeft Fruition of Faith, which was be- 
 come her blefled Experience, knowing that our 
 Sorrow would be but for a Moment compared 
 to the eternal Weight of Glory, Deareft Mot her ^ 
 
 SS 
 1 640-1. 
 
56 
 
 1640-1. 
 
 From the Diary of 
 
 may thy precious Example be ever prefent with 
 me. I felt it a fore Triall, the Houfe being 
 at this time full of Company, yet believe it 
 might be good for me that there were fo many 
 to be cared for. My Sifter Dorothy was truly 
 kind: yf//^/;//^ was prevented coming: My Lord 
 Noel was a true Mourner, a more than common 
 Affedlion united him in Bonds of Intimacy with 
 his late Sifter, and he fought every Opportunity 
 of Converfe with me, and paff'd much Time of 
 every Day alone in her favourite Walks : his 
 Daughter Eleanor had accompanied him out of 
 Leicejierjhire : before he left us, my Deare 
 Uncle had gained the Love and Efteeme of all. 
 I may here write an Infcription to the Me- 
 mory of the late Miftrefle Hampderiy which my 
 Lord did copy from her Tomb in the Church 
 at Great Hampden^ when he was laft at that 
 Place, the fame appearing to me particularly 
 fuited to the Subjedt of the laft pages of this 
 Diary y wherein my Pen would faile, were I to 
 attempt to defcribe her Excellence^ or my own 
 great Lofle. 
 
 To the eternal Memory of the truely 
 Vertuous and Pius Elizabeth Hampden^ Wife 
 of John Hampden^ the tender Mother of an 
 
Lady Willoughby. 
 
 happy OfFspring In 9 hopefull Children : 
 In her Pilgrimage the Stale and Comfort of 
 her Neighbours, the Love and Glory of a 
 well-ordered Family, the Delight and Hap- 
 plnefle of tender Parents, but a Crowne of 
 Bleflings to a Hufband : In a Wife, to all 
 an eternal Paterne of Goodnefle, and Caufe 
 of Joye whilft fhe was : In her diflblution a 
 Lofle unvaluable to each, yet herfelfe bleft, 
 and they recompenfed. In her Tranflatlon 
 from a Tabernacle of Claye and fellowfhipp 
 with Mortalls to a celeftiall Manfion and 
 Communion with Deity ^ The 20th Day of 
 Auguft 1 634. John Hampdefiy her forrowfull 
 Hufband, In perpetuall Teftlmony of his 
 conjugal Love, hath dedicated this Monu- 
 ment. 
 
 My Mother In a fpecial manner did walke by 
 Faith. In all Trouble fhe could fay. It Is good | 
 
 for me to be afBIdled, It Is the Lords let him 
 
 f 
 
 do what feemeth to him good : and In time of 
 Profperity and GladnefTe fhe forgot not the 
 Giver of all Mercies, the Song of Thankfglving 
 and Pray fe was In her Heart and on her Lippes : 
 Scrupulous in the exadl Performance of all her 
 Duties, fhe regarded none as too Infignlficant 
 
 S7 
 
 1 640- 1. 
 
58 
 
 1640-I. 
 
 March 11, 
 Thurfday, 
 
 From the Diary of 
 
 to be done well : to the Poore fhe was a kind 
 and bountifull Friend ; and as Hampden fayth 
 of his Wife, fhe was a Paterne of GoodnefTe, 
 and Caufe of Joy to all who knew her : and 
 the Lord permitted his aged Servant to depart 
 in Peace. Blefled be his Name ! 
 
 This Morning arofe fomewhat earlier than 
 ufuall, and felt the Benefit of fo doing through- 
 out the day : Mind compofed and ftrengthened. 
 At five of the Clock my Coufins Anne and 
 Margaret arrived : feem warm-hearted young 
 Women, Anne grown into more ComelinefTe 
 than fhe appeared likely to do, two yeares 
 fince : Margaret lovely as a bright Morning 
 in May, the calme Truthfulnefle of her Coun- 
 tenance brings to mind Spenfer's Verfes to the 
 Memorie of his beloved Friend, 
 
 AJweet attractive kind of Grace ^ 
 A full AJJurance given by LookeSy 
 Continuall Comfort in a Face 
 'The Lineaments of GofpcU Bookes : 
 
 the two lafl Lines efcape my Memory. We 
 fate round the Fire for the mofl part of the 
 Evening : family News and country Goflip : 
 and Anne eager to relate fundry Tales of 
 Robin Hood^ and marvellous Stories of Witch- 
 
Lady Willoughby, 59 
 
 craft and Fairie-lore, drawing down upon her- 1640-1. 
 felf the grave Rebuke of the Chaplaine^ to 
 which {he gave Httle heed. When retired to 
 my Clofet, could not forbeare contrafting my 
 prefent State with that of thefe hght-hearted 
 Maidens : I have not feene many more Yeares 
 than thefe have, and yet fuch Gaiety of Spirit 
 is mine no more, the Hand of Care prefTeth 
 heavily on the young Heart, which enters upon 
 the troubled and carefuU Path of domeftic 
 Life, and upon the Duties which appertaine 
 unto the Miftrefle of a Houfehold, before it 
 hath had time to enure itfelfe to Hardfhips and 
 Difappointments, or hath had Experience of 
 its owne Weaknefle or its owne Power : yet I 
 would not repine ; a deeper Well-fpring of Joy 
 hath beene open'd to me, though its Waters 
 are mingled with Drops of Bitternefle. Some 
 one fayth, our beft Bleflings are bought with 
 Paine, as our higheft Vertue through Sin and 
 Sorrow : this may feeme a Myftery ; but my 
 Thoughts are not your 'Thoughts^ nor my Ways 
 your PFaySy faith the Lord. Raife up and 
 ftrengthen within me, O merciful! Father that 
 Faith in thy perfedl Wifdom and Love as fhall 
 enable me to truft in thee to diredt my Ways 
 and lead me to obey thy Will as a little child : 
 
6o 
 
 1640-1. 
 
 March 24, 
 JVednefday, 
 
 March 25, 
 Thurjday. 
 
 From the Diary of 
 
 blefle and protedl my deare Hujbandy and keep 
 him in the Way of Truth and Liberty : keep 
 in Health and Safety, O Lordy my precious 
 little Ones, and uphold me in the Fulfillment 
 of the feveral Duties committed to my Charge. 
 
 The Nurferie a Scene of much Merriment 
 this Morning. Anne at high Play with Di 
 and Fanny y and Margaret with the Babyy who 
 clapp'd her Hands and fcreamed with Delight. 
 My Coufins are both good-tempered, lively 
 Creatures, and I am vaftly fond of them already, 
 and they no lefle fo of me and the Children. 
 I tooke them over the Houfe, and left them in 
 the Long Gallery, They followed me after a 
 while, bringing their Needlework, and I tooke 
 my Embroidery, which has got on but flowly 
 of late : their lively Talk made the Day pafle 
 pleafantly. After Dinner we walked down to 
 the Villagey calling at blind Betty's as we re- 
 turned. 
 
 Lady Day. In the Steward's Room two or 
 three Houres, paying out Wages and fo forth, 
 and looking over Armfirongs Bookes. The 
 laft yeare's Wool was fold, the greater part 
 thereof, to the Baize-maker at Colchejier, at 24 
 Shillings the Tod, a better Price than hath 
 been payd of late. 
 
Lady Willoughby. 
 
 The Great Hall with Its blazing Fire and 
 the Women bufy at their Spinning, ever and 
 anon finging to the hum of the Wheels, was a 
 Sight pleafant to look upon. Nancy did defire 
 fhe might have a Wheel taken to the Parlour^ 
 much preferring making of Thread to ufing 
 the fame. Margaret is a notable Needle- 
 woman : her Sifter brought a bright Blufh to 
 her Cheeke by fome Query refpefting a parti- 
 cular Piece of Needlework in hand ; and added, 
 on perceiving the effed fhe had produced, fhe 
 had heard S\ Erqfmus de la Fountain much 
 commend the delicate Paterne : whereat poore 
 Margaret attempted to look up unconcern'd, 
 but was obliged to fmile at her Sifter's Plea- 
 fantry. I was difcreet, and led the Converfation 
 back to the Spinning. 
 
 The Days pafTe fmoothly, yet Time feemeth 
 very long fince my deare Lord departed on his 
 Journey. We heare no News. Armfirong 
 will perchance gain fome Tydings at Colchejier: 
 and I muft await his Return with fuch Patience 
 I can. 
 
 Since my little Fannfs long Sicknefle I have 
 continued the Habit of remaining by her at 
 night, fometime after ftie is in Bed: thefe are 
 Seafons peculiarly fweet and foothing; there 
 
 6i 
 
 1 641. 
 
62 
 
 1 641. 
 
 March 30, 
 Tuejday. 
 
 From the Diary of 
 
 feemeth fomething holy in the Aire of the 
 dimly lighted Chamber^ wherein is no Sound 
 heard but the foft breathing of the fleeping 
 Infant. I feel at fuch time as if brought 
 nearer to the Divine Prefence^ and with every 
 Care and bufy Thought gathered into Silence, 
 almofl: feeme as though admitted to the Com- 
 pany of the Angels who keepe their appointed 
 Watch around the little Child : one defire only 
 filling my Soul that my Children may grow 
 up to walk in the way of the Righteous : at 
 fuch Moments too how clearly is perceiv'd 
 and acknowledg'd the Claim of the Creator 
 over the young Creature he hath formed : He 
 hath breathed into it the Breath of Life, and 
 made it a living Soule, and hath given it to a 
 Mother's Keeping : fhe boweth herfelfe before 
 him, and receiveth from his hand this Pearle 
 of great price^ when the Lord maketh up his 
 Jewels to be required of her againe. Sandlifie, 
 O Lordy I befeech thee, thefe Houres of Still- 
 nefle and Meditation to my Soule^s eternal 
 Good, and to the Fulfillment of thy holy 
 Purpofe towards us. 
 
 Sitting with my two little Maidens in the 
 Nurjerie to-day. Baby afleep in the Cradle, 
 and the Time drawing nigh for them to go to 
 
Lady Willoughby. 
 
 Bed, the way opened of faying a few words to 
 them on the fubjed of Prayer, and methought 
 it ftrengthened my owne Faith as I brought to 
 their Remembrance that Jejus Chrift himfelfe 
 pray'd, and had told us to do fo, and had 
 taught us in what manner we fhould pray, alfo 
 giving us Aflurance that God would alwayes 
 heare our Supplications, if offered in Humility 
 and Faith : Herein fhould we find abiding 
 Comfort and occafion of ThankfullnefTe : Diana 
 I thought, from the Expreffion of her Counte- 
 nance, underflood what was fayd. Fanny 
 look'd and fmiled and made fome childifh 
 Remark, but pofTibly tooke in fome notion of 
 what was meant. It is a teaching LefTon, the 
 loving Sorte of Truft with which our Children 
 liften : how carefuU fhould we be that Nothing 
 deflroy this Confidence. 
 
 When I came downe flaires, met John in 
 the Hall: he brought me a Letter, and had 
 heard divers Reports. He had the good hap 
 to fall in with MefTengers on their road to the 
 North, and accompanied them a mile or two 
 on their Way to gaine what Intelligence he 
 could. When the Earle of Strafford was 
 brought from the Tower y he was guarded by 
 200 of the Train-band on his way to Weftmin- 
 
 63 
 
 1641. 
 
64 
 
 1 641. 
 
 From the Diary of 
 
 fier HalL Every day of the paft weeke he 
 was brought thus to and fro to the Triall. 
 The King and ^eene and the Prince proceeded 
 to Wejiminfter about 9 of the clock : they fat 
 in their private Clofet, one being enclofed on 
 each fide of the Throne with Boards and hung 
 with Arras, in order that the King might be 
 prefent without taking Parte, untill fuch time 
 as he fhould choofe : neverthelefl^e he fhortly 
 brake downe with his own Hand the Trellis, 
 and fo fate in the eyes of all. When the 
 Earle entered, the Axe was not carried before 
 him, the King having fo commanded. The 
 Reading of the Impeachment with the Lord 
 Strafford's Reply occupied the firft Day. 
 
 There was much Eating and Drinking dur- 
 ing the Day, unfeemely Condudt in the King's 
 prefence, and ill becoming the Solemnity of 
 the Occafion : the Sittings did oft laft till 2 or 
 3 of the clock at night. Mr. Pym made a 
 long Speech on the 2nd day. What feemeth 
 ftrange, in the Galleries were all the chief 
 Ladies of the Court, with Pen and Ink and 
 Papers, taking note of what paff'd. It is 
 fayd, though he was proved guilty of great 
 Wickednefle and Tyrannic, yet no one Deed 
 taken fingly did come within the verge of 
 
Lady Willoughby. 
 
 Treafon. The Earle did himfelfe fay aloud, 
 there was nothing that could be Treafon, and 
 if one thoufand Mifdemeanours make not a 
 Felony, how fhould 28 make it a Treafon ? 
 So foone as the Triall is concluded, we fhall 
 furely hear thereof 
 
 No Letter or MefTenger yet arrived. It is 
 well for me that nurferie Cares and Employ- 
 ments cannot be negledled, and I am thus com- 
 pelled to exertion, though painefuU Thoughts 
 occupy my Mind. It is an aw full thing for 
 Man to take the Life of Man, and difficult to 
 reconcile to the Precepts of Mercy and For- 
 givenefle, given by our Saviour^ more efpeci- 
 ally doth it grieve me to fee the Spirit of Per- 
 fecution fo ftrong in the Minifter of Rehgion. 
 The Chaplain and I agree not in thefe Matters, 
 and he hath ever readie in his Mouth Texts 
 from Holy Scriptures to ]\xK\{y Bloodfhed : the 
 Law of old time was an Eye for an Eye, but 
 not fuch is the Law of Chriji. I do oft wifh 
 for my Hujband's Prefence in his owne Family : 
 the difcontented and fanatic Tone of Exhorta- 
 tion adopted of late worketh no Good: for 
 my poore Part I fee no doing of God's Service 
 in negleding their Duty, which fome both 
 Men and Women in the Houfehold fcruple 
 
 65 
 
 1 641. 
 
 April 19, 
 Monday. 
 
66 
 
 1 641. 
 
 April 24, 
 Saturday, 
 
 May 7, 
 Friday. 
 
 May 8, 
 
 Saturday. 
 
 From the Diary of 
 
 not. This wrefting of the old Bible expref- 
 fions to fuit different Opinions, methinks, is 
 like to be dangerous, and maketh a Snarfe to 
 the Weake. 
 
 The Bill hath paff'd the Commons* Houje^ by 
 a very great Majority, and is fent up to the 
 Lords, Mobs of violent Men were gathered 
 round the Parliament, crying for Strafford's 
 Blood. The Lords made Complaint they 
 were threatened : and Dr. Burgefs^ a popular 
 Preacher, was put forth to addreffe the Crowd, 
 who thereupon difperfed themfelves. The 
 King is accufed of endeavouring to influence 
 the Houfe of Lords^ and trufts much in the 
 Earle of Bedfordy who it is fayd hath fecretly 
 undertooke that the Earle of Strafford's Life 
 fhould not be forfeited. 
 
 A Report hath arifen that the King hath 
 projeded the Earless efcape from the 'Tower. 
 
 So great is the Excitement that the Noife 
 of a Board breaking in the Houfe ^\di fo greatly 
 terrifie the Members that fome ran out : others 
 thought it was another Gun-powder Plot. 
 
 No further News from London. Thoughts 
 fo diftraded that to fet downe fome Particulars 
 of public Events as they reach us is all that I 
 am well able. Children at this time well in 
 
Lady Willoughby. 
 
 Health, a great Mercy : let me not be unmind- 
 full of this and other manifold Bleffings ; but, 
 as the Apoftle fayth, by Prayer and Supplication^ 
 with l^hankjgivingj be my Requejis made known 
 unto God. 
 
 The Bill has paff'd : the Majority 21 to 
 19: my Hujband fayth many left the Houfe, 
 The Earle of Bedford^ having ficken'd of the 
 Smallpox laft weeke, died on the 9th : he is a 
 great Lofle to all Parties^ being a juft and good 
 Man ; he hath alwayes oppofed the perfecuting 
 Laws againft the Non-conformift Minifters, 
 and beene the Enemy of all arbitrary Power, 
 and had occupied himfelfe till his Death in the 
 endeavour to reconcile his Party to fomething 
 lefle than capital Punifhment in the Earle s 
 cafe : and 'tis thought the King had confidently 
 trufted in his Influence obtaining this End. 
 The Royal Aflent has beene given by Com- 
 miflion. When the Earle of Strafford was in- 
 form'd thereof, he layd his Hand on his Breafl, 
 and fayd. Put not your 'Truft in Princes : poore 
 Man, he hath good Reafon to fay fo. The 
 Prince of Wales came to the Houfe with a 
 Letter from the King^ a poore Effort to fave 
 the Earle, and to fatisfie his Confcience. 
 
 The Execution tooke place on Wednejday 
 
 67 
 
 1641. 
 
 May 13, 
 
 Tburjday. 
 
 May 15, 
 
 Saturday. 
 
68 
 
 1 641. 
 
 From the Diary of 
 
 the 1 2th : the crowds of People prefent were 
 orderly, and gave way to no expreffion of 
 Triumph ; but at night it is reported they tefti- 
 fied their Satisfadlon by lighting Bonfires, &c. 
 My deare Life doth hope to get away in a few 
 Days: how great will be the Joy to fee him 
 enter his own Doore againe. He fayth the 
 ^eene Mother hath petitioned the Houfe of Com- 
 mons for a Guard : fhe being fearfull of Crowds 
 and Tumults : 'twas referred to Committee. 
 The Houfe moved that the Lords fhould join in 
 a Petition to His Majefty that flie depart this 
 Kingdome. 
 
 Have retired to my Clofet at an early Houre, 
 that I may paffe fome time in the Exercife of 
 Self-examination, efpeclally fuited to the Day, 
 the fame being that on which I was born. 
 Firft, let me return Thanks to Almighty God 
 that I was blefled with a Pious and Tender 
 Mother: 2ndly, That I have been favoured 
 with goode Health: and thirdly, that in 
 Wedded Life my Partner is one worthy of my 
 deareft AfFedion & high Efteeme, and who 
 hath ever treated with Gentleneffe and Conde- 
 fcentlon my Faults and many Deficiencies. 
 Like unto the loving them who love us is the 
 Thankfulnefle of the Heart for thofe Mercies 
 
Lady Willoughby. 
 
 and Orderings of Providence pleafant to our 
 natural Feelings : how have I borne the Trialls 
 and DIfappoIntments which have beene given 
 mee to beare ? When the Lord tookQ from me 
 my precious Firft-born, it was as it were the 
 Dividing afunder of Soul and Spirit, and of the 
 Joints and Marrow : and I would not be com- 
 forted. Yet I doubt not that through this Tri- 
 bulation I have in fome meafure beene brought 
 to a more humbling Senfe of my thoughtleffe 
 and finful State, and to the Convidion that only 
 through Divine Grace could my difobedient 
 and rebellious Spirit be brought into entire 
 Submiflion and the patient taking up the CroJ/e 
 felt to be a daily Duty. Great and oft have 
 beene my Backflidings ; yet blefled be God, I 
 hope that Faith faileth not, but doth ftrengthen 
 and become more and more an abiding Prin- 
 ciple of Adlion. Much of Indolence and Sel- 
 filhnefle I have daily to ftruggle with : yet 
 fometimes the comforting Hope is granted, 
 that in thefe refpedls there is Improvement. 
 Though no longer have I a deare Mother, yet 
 is her Memory fo connefted with my Children 
 that in my own capacity as a Mother I feeme 
 with her in many Scenes of her paft Life. Per- 
 haps fhe doth now behold mee ftepping along 
 
 69 
 
 1641. 
 
JO 
 
 I64I. 
 
 From the Diary of 
 
 June 2, 
 Wednejday. 
 
 through this Vale of Teares, oft ftumbling, but 
 an unfeene Arm fupporting mee from utterly 
 falling, and peacefull Refting-places and refrefh- 
 ing waters vouchfafed : and when I draw nigh 
 unto the End of my Pilgrimage, where lieth 
 the Shadow of Death, may I ftill feare no 
 Evill, but know that the Lord is with mee. 
 Have read the 5ifl: and 103d PJalmes^ and the 
 5th, 6th, and 7th Chapters of St. Mathew^ and 
 with renewed Thankfgiving after looking on 
 the fleeping Little Ones, I will now retire to 
 my folitary Chamber. . 
 
 There hath of late beene public Events of 
 fuch ftrong Intereft, that fmall domeftic Affaires 
 have feemed of too little Import, compared 
 therewith, to fet ought downe, and my Pen too 
 is idly difpofed. My time is moftly thus or- 
 dered : after that I have looked into ordinary 
 houfehold BufinefTe, I teach Diana her Reading 
 and Spelling ; fhe is an apt Scholar, and is be- 
 coming a notable little SempftrefTe: her Tem- 
 per is quick, and her Behaviour fometimes 
 overbearing to her Sifter ; but fhe hath warme 
 AfFedions, and foon repents of Unkindnefle or 
 Anger : Fanny is more gentle and docile, but 
 with this too readily in Teares ; they are both 
 vaftly fond of Bahy^ and Fanny gives it oft- 
 
Lady Willoughby. 
 
 times fuch a Hug with her chubby Arm as 
 makes it cry, and then fhe cries too. Fan 
 learns fome little. In the Afternoone waike 
 out, calling on fome of my poore Neighbours, 
 and adminiftering to the Ailing fuch Remedies 
 as I can beftow. 
 
 It is like to be a good Hay-harveft : the 
 Women all called forth to give Helpe therein. 
 I tooke Charge of the Nurferie : Di and Fan in 
 the Fieldmoft part of theDay. Old 5ri^^^/ died 
 laft Night ; and Smythe now keepes to his Bed, 
 
 The Report hath reached us that the ^eene 
 Mother hath embarked : a good Riddance to 
 the Countrey. It is fayd the ^eene wiflied to 
 accompany her ; and under plea of Ill-health 
 made Requeft to this efFed to the Houje of Com- 
 mons^ which was refufed : at the fame time the 
 Hou/e exprefled a Willingnefle to further her 
 Satisfaction in all things fo farre as may ftand 
 with the Public Good. Methinks the King 
 muft be difcompofed by this Oppofition to the 
 ^eenes Wifhes, which bodeth further Trouble 
 and Vexation to him. 
 
 The King is ft ill in Scot land y but is likely to 
 go to Ireland: Rebellion and dreadful! Maf- 
 facres in that unhappy Countrey. 
 
 The Bifhops accufed of High Treafon. 
 
 1641. 
 
 June 24, 
 Thurjday. 
 
 July 17, 
 
 Saturday, 
 
 Sept. 15, 
 Wednejday. 
 
 Dec. 14, 
 
 Tuejday. 
 
7^ 
 
 1641-2. 
 
 January 8, 
 Saturday. 
 
 From the Diary of 
 
 1641-2. 
 
 He Commons have petitioned for 
 a Guard, Newes that Lord 
 Kimboltoriy Mr. Hollis^ Sir Arthur 
 Hazelrigge^ Mr. Pym.y Mr. J^/^;/ 
 HampdeUy and another, have been accufed of 
 High Treafon by the Attorney General, Whilft 
 the Lords were deHberating, Word was brought 
 that OiBcers were feaHngupthe Doores, Trunks, 
 &c. of the accufed Members. The Commons 
 ordered their Sergeant at Armes to breake them 
 open :' of a fudden there came a Meflage from 
 the King to the Speaker requiring him to deliver 
 up the 5 Members. The Houje repHed they 
 would take the Matterinto Confideration. The 
 next day after Dinner, and when they had 
 fcarcely taken their Seats, Newes was brought 
 them that the King was coming with Hundreds 
 of arm'd Men and Officers ; they fearing Vio- 
 
Lady Willoughby, 
 
 lence and Strife in the Houfe, order'd the 
 accufed Members to leave the Houfe : which 
 they did juft in time. My L^r^fayth the King 
 knock'd haftily on the Doore, and came in with 
 the Prince Palatine^ leaving the arm'd Men at 
 the Doore. The whole Houfe flood up un- 
 covered: the King walked flraightway to the 
 Speaker's Chaire, and feated himfelfe therein. 
 Then he caft fearching lookes around, and not 
 feeing thofe he fought, fpoke in a fevere Tone, 
 afking were any of thofe Perfons there, ending 
 with thefe Words, or fome fimihryldo expe5i^as 
 Joon as they come to the Houfe ^ you will fend them to 
 me; otherwije I mufl take my owne Courje to find 
 them^ and arofe and wentout, amidft Murmuring 
 and cries of Privilege. This open Defiance of 
 King and Parliament has created a vaft ftir : and 
 many marvel at the bold bearing of the Houfe, 
 The next Day the King went into the City of 
 London^ when the Common Councill were af- 
 fembled at the Guildhall ; but made not much 
 Impreflion : neverthelefle he got a good Dinner 
 at the Houfe of one of the Sheriffes, 
 
 For fome days no Tidings have reached us : 
 all that we have heard of late is of th^ Militia 
 Billy which is calling forth ftrong Feelings on 
 both Sides. The ^eene and Princejfe are at 
 
 73 
 
 1641-2. 
 
 Feb. 28, 
 
 Monday. 
 
74 
 
 1 641 -2. 
 
 March 17, 
 Thurjday. 
 
 From the Diary of 
 
 length gone into Holland: it is fayd fhe hath 
 taken, befide her Plate, the Crown Jewells. 
 The King returned not to Whitehall^ but is at 
 'Theobalds y the Prince of Wales with him. 
 
 This Forenoon my little Daughter Fanny 
 fhowed fo wilfull and froward a Spirit, refufing 
 to do that (he was told, that I was forced to 
 corredb her with fome feverity : fhe hath of late 
 fallen away from the ready Obedience where- 
 with fhe did formerly attend to my Bidding, 
 and I do much reproach myfelfe in that I have 
 beene negle6lfull of my Duty towards her, and 
 the others ; thus occafioning Trouble to them, 
 and -Grief and Difappointment to myfelfe. 
 Sorely tryed by divers Anxieties I have too 
 much look'd to my deare Little Ones for pre- 
 fent Joy and Comfort : and haply in my for- 
 lorne State, with an encreafed TendernefTe have 
 beene led to overlooke the Beginnings of unruly 
 & difobedient Condud, which ought to have 
 met with Corredlion. 
 
 As I flood and look'd on the little Face fo 
 lately .diflurbed by angry Feelings now quietly 
 afleepe, I deeply bewailed the EfFefts of my 
 SelfiibnefTe. Lord^ I have beene an unfaithfull 
 Steward, and negledted the Talents committed 
 to me : call me not to account. Oh Righteous 
 
Lady Willoughby. 
 
 Father : take not away from mee this precious 
 Truft : but whileft I acknowledge and deplore 
 my Unworthinefle, ftrengthen, I befeech thee, 
 my weake Minde, and helpe mee to traine them 
 up in Obedience, which fhall prepare them for 
 a yet higher. Thou knoweft the Burthen of 
 thefe fearefull and troublous Times is heavy 
 to be borne : yet would I ftrive and pray for 
 a more patient and faithfull Spirit. 
 
 Attended to family BufinefTe and Duties with 
 renewed Diligence: and I truft humbled, by 
 the paft Experience of Slacknefle in performing 
 the fame. I weary for my deare Hujband's 
 prefence and Support. 
 
 Intelligence that the Lieutenants of Counties 
 are forthwith to organize Militias: the Farmers 
 and Labouring Men will be put to great In- 
 convenience and Lofle. 
 
 Late in the Afternoone my Lord arrived, 
 travaile-foiled, having ridden fo farre out of 
 his way to the North : he with fome others 
 are appointed to prefent to the King^ now at 
 Torke^ a Declaration from Parliament, He 
 had but a few Houres to ftay : fo much to be 
 fayd in fhort Time, we fcarce knew where to 
 begin : he inclined to difmifTe for a while all 
 Public Affaires. I caufed a good fire to be 
 
 75 
 
 1641-2. 
 
 March 18, 
 Friday. 
 
 March 19, 
 Saturday. 
 
76 
 
 1641-2. 
 
 From the Diary of 
 
 made in our favourite Parlour. Armflrong 
 relieved his Majler of parts of his Riding-drefTe, 
 and tooke Orders refpeding frefh Horfes, bag- 
 gage, &c. the while I haften'd up to the 
 N'urjerie & brought downe the three Girls, 
 Fan tooke her old Place on her Father's Knee, 
 Di on a Stool at his Feet, and I nurfed and 
 coaxed Bal?y into not being alarmed at a 
 Stranger, fo little has (he feene of him, that at 
 firft fhe did refufe to leave my Arms for his : 
 very great was our Satisfadion and Delight: 
 he looked wearied, and well he might, but fayd 
 the fight of fo many deare Faces was the onely 
 Happineffe he had had fince he laft faw us, and 
 did more to reft him than could aught elfe : the 
 Dogs too fhared his Notice : and the Children 
 prattled fo that we could hardly get in a word 
 to each other. One by one they were fent off 
 to Bed, and we had a ftiort fpace of Quiet to 
 ourfelves. Before we are like to meete againe, 
 he doth exped, as doe all Men, that Blood 
 will have beene fhed : both Parties are now 
 fcambling for Armes: and nothing can fave 
 this unhappy Kingdome from a Warre. Wee 
 are much out of the way : but in difturbed 
 Times, worthlefle and evil-difpofed Perfons are 
 readie for any Violence, and under Pretext of 
 
Lady Willoughby. 
 
 being engaged for one Side or the other, Hkely 
 to plunder the undefended : and jirmftrong has 
 orders to fee that before dark, the Houfe be 
 fhut, and all the Men within ; who are to be 
 armed : the new Militia A5i will make this 
 needfull. My Lord will have with him alwayes 
 one or more truft-worthy Serving-men, whom 
 he can fend with Letters or MefTages, and 
 heare from us in returne : and herein wee muft 
 both take fuch Comfort as wee can. He is 
 now under the Orders of Parliament^ and for 
 fome time is pretty certaine to be in the Norths 
 the King having eftablifhed a fort of Court at 
 Torke. The Take-leave time came at laft. 
 And noWy deare Hearty he fayd to his trembling 
 Wife^ with much adoe I kept a tolerable Com- 
 pofure, have no Mijgivings of thyjelfe : I have 
 ever found thee of quick Wit in Difficulties ^ and 
 manifefiing a quiet Courage and Endurance^ at 
 which I have marvelled: and if need fhould bey 
 I will find Meanes for your better Prote^ion. 
 Well was it now that the Horfes were readie, 
 and he look'd not around, after his parting 
 Embrace, to fee mee drown'd in Teares. He 
 fet forth well armed. Two Men the fame, 
 and another with a led Horfe and Baggage. 
 Went to my lonely Roome at Night : the 
 
 77 
 
 1641-2. 
 
78 
 
 1 641 -2. 
 
 March 22, 
 
 Tuejday, 
 
 March 31, 
 Tburjday. 
 
 From the Diary of 
 
 Cafement fhook with the Winde, and prefently 
 the Raine came downe heavily : for a time I 
 was overpower'd with the Grief of lofing him, 
 and thinking of him riding all night in Weather 
 fo tempeftuous, the while I fat by a brightly 
 burning Fire, in a comfortable warm Roome. 
 Yet would I gladly fhare his Hardfhippes, and 
 be at his Side through all. Roufed myfelf at 
 laft, and prepared for Reft, praying for Strength 
 that my felfifh Love may never bee a Hinder- 
 ance to my beloved Hujband in the way of his 
 Duty, but rather that I may give all the Aide 
 that a poore weake Creature may, to one fo 
 farre above her in all true NoblenefTe. As I 
 beheld the little Face fleeping befide mee, 
 thought what fhould betide if wee were driven 
 from our Home : how fhould wee find Shelter 
 for this tender Flower, and the other deare 
 ones. 
 
 The Chaplainej when wee met this Morning, 
 with much Refpecft did offer his Services : he 
 fideth with the Parliament^ and I fancy could 
 play the part of Soldier well, other ways than 
 in Spirituall Warfare. 
 
 Had the great Comfort of a Letter dated 
 Nottinghame : my Hujlmnd reach'd that Place 
 foone after Sir Anthony Ereby and the Lord 
 
Lady Willoughby. 
 
 DungarvoUy whom he was to meete there : 
 and they prefently departed for Torke. My 
 Hujband telleth mee that Mr. John Hutchinjon 
 boldly oppofed the Taking-away the Pouder 
 from the Caftle by the SherifFe for the Kings 
 Ufe : the which was well nigh accompliflied. 
 It did fo happen that Mr. Hutchinjon chancing 
 to call on the Mayor ^ was there told that Lord 
 Newark and the SherifFe were up flairs feeing 
 the Pouder weighed out. A good number of 
 People were gathered together, and told Mr. 
 Hutchinjon^ if he would fland by them, they 
 would not let it be taken away : and fome were 
 minded to go up and tofTe the SherifFe out of 
 the Windowes. Thereupon Mr. Hutchinjon 
 went up, and made manfuU Remonftrance with 
 the fayd SherifFe, and they did prefently put 
 up their Papers, and left the Townes-hall. 
 My Lord Kad fome knowledge of Mr. Hutchin- 
 jon, and is right glad to find him a fledfafl 
 Friend, on the fide, of Liberty and Juftice. 
 
 It is no eafie Matter to follow my ufuall 
 Employments, and I make fome excufe con- 
 tinually to myfelfe for looking towards the 
 Gate, though no Newes is like to arrive yet 
 awhile. The afternoone was fine, and I walked 
 with the Children to Framlingham, and went 
 
 79 
 
 1641-2. 
 
 April 5, 
 Tuejday, 
 
8o 
 
 1642. 
 
 April 19, 
 Tuejday. 
 
 From the Diary of 
 
 over great part of the Caftle^ met there Doc5lor 
 Samfjoriy who gave me at confiderable length the 
 Hiftory thereof. He was in much Concerne 
 for his Friend Mr. Lovekitiy the Redor of 
 Ufford^ who hath beene plundered of every 
 thing fave one Silver-fpoone which he did hide 
 in his Sleeve. The Oak-trees hereabout are 
 of great fize. The Children were mightily 
 pleafed with the Caftle : and were it not that 
 their Hunger made the thought of Supper well 
 pleafing to them, I fhould not eafily have got 
 them away. 
 
 This morning was mild & bright: the Woods 
 clothed in the foft Greene of early Spring : & 
 the whole Scene fo quiet and beautifully 'twas 
 fad to refled: how many happy country Places 
 were defaced by the Trampling of Soldiers, & 
 Wo men and Children fitting in Terror of Warre 
 at their very Doores. I walk'd down to blind 
 Betty's Cottage : the Doore ftood partly open: 
 and as I entered fhe was feated by the fmall 
 Fire, her Drefle cleane though homely and 
 worne, and her poore fightlefle Face wearing 
 its accuftomed Looke of Contentment: her 
 Lips moved, and fhe raifed up her withered 
 Hand at times, as if in Supplication. She 
 knew my ftep, & arofe to meet mee with her 
 
Lady Willoughby, 
 
 wonted Salutation of Refpedt and Wellcome : 
 her firft Enquiry was to know if I had heard 
 Tydings of the Lord Willoughby : & then of 
 the ChildreUy every particular of their Health. 
 And now fhall I reade to you, Betty ? I alked: 
 with many Thankes fhe exprefs*d the Pleafure 
 it would give. The Chaplaine had not calPd 
 to fee her thefe three Daies : and a Chapter, 
 as fhe fayd, would be more to her than Meate 
 or Drinke. I read a portion of I/aiahy and 
 afterward the 15th Chapter of Corinthians: 
 her Remarks thereon, though fimple, reminded 
 meein their Piety and Zeale of my deare Mother. 
 She then begged for the laft of Revelations^ 
 wherein fhe doth alway find peculiar Edification 
 and Delight. This poore lone Widow is a 
 living Sermon to mee in her Faith under all 
 her Troubles, which have beene manifold : but 
 they have led her to the true Source of Peace 
 and Confolation. 
 
 Before I left my Chamber this morning, was 
 told a Meflenger had arrived from Aldborough^ 
 having come there by Sea from Hull defiring 
 Speech of mee, faying he was from Torke : I 
 did lofe no timein feeing him. He fayd the Lord 
 Willoughby had not Time or Meanes to write, 
 but fent mee his Ring as a Token that he who 
 
 81 
 
 1642. 
 
 April 30, 
 Saturday. 
 
82 
 
 1642. 
 
 From the Diary of 
 
 bare it was to be trufted in his Relation of 
 Affaires as they then were. On the 22 nd the 
 King fent the Duke of Torke and the Prince 
 Palatine with the Earle of Newport to Hull^ 
 without any armed Force, my Lord with them, 
 as if to fee the Town: the Day following they 
 were to dine with the Mayor: but a little 
 before noone Sir John Hotham was informed 
 the King intended to dine with him that day, 
 and was within 3 or 4 miles of HuU^ with 300 
 Horfe and more. He haftened to confult the 
 Aldermen and fome others on the Pat'liament 
 fide : and they fent a Meflenger befeeching 
 his Majefty not to come, as the Governour 
 could not admit him. But the King advanced: 
 the Bridge was drawn up, and the Gates fhut, 
 and the Soldiers ftood to their Arms. The 
 King rode up to the Gate, and commanded Sir 
 John to open the Gates : he anfwered that he 
 was entrufted with the Securing the Towne, 
 and would do his Duty : but if the King pleafed, 
 he might enter with 12 Men: this the King 
 refufed. At one of the clock the Duke of 
 Torke and others with him were allowed to go 
 out. The King flayed there till afternoone, 
 when he gave Sir John Hotham an Houre to 
 confider what he would doe, and retired : then 
 
Lady Willoughby. 
 
 he came backe to the Gate & received the fame 
 Anfwer as before. Thereat he caufed the Herald 
 to proclaime Sir John Hotham a Traitour : and 
 In great Anger and Difappointment the King 
 went away, and lodged at Beverley, My HuJ- 
 i?and will remaine at Hully being appointed with 
 3 other CommlfTioners to acft with Sir John 
 Hotham, The Parliament have voted Thanks 
 to the Governour, and fent an Order for the 
 Ordnance and mofte of the Armes to be fent 
 to London. For a fhort time my deare HuJ- 
 band Is employed on a Service of feeming little 
 Danger, but this cannot be for long. The 
 Meflenger ftayed only for needfull Refrefh- 
 ment, proceeding to London: defired John 
 Armftrong to reward him with liberal hand, 
 and alfo requeft him to fend us the TerfeB 
 Diurnall, or fuch Paper as he can procure, 
 when he reaches London. 
 
 The King^ having got Pofleflion of the 
 Great Seale, hath Iflued Proclamations com- 
 manding the People In no way to aide the 
 Parliament : the Parliament doing the fame to 
 forbid their aiding the King : what can the 
 poore People do ? 
 
 There is Rumour that the King hath collefted 
 a confiderable Force, and Is gone to htficgQHull. 
 
 83 
 
 164.2. 
 
 June 28, 
 Tuefday. 
 
84 
 
 1642. 
 
 July 15, 
 
 Friday. 
 
 July 16, 
 Saturday. 
 
 Aug. 29, 
 Monday. 
 
 From the Diary of 
 
 The Parliament have iflued an Order for 
 the bringing in Money, Plate, Horfes, &c. 
 and have named the Earle oi EJJex Commander of 
 the Army ; many Gentlemen of the Houfe of 
 Commons have entered the Service, Lord Grey^ 
 HolliSy Sir William Waller y and our good friend 
 the excellent Mr. Hampden, 
 
 The Paper fays the Lord Willoughby is made 
 Lord- Lieutenant of Lincoln/hire; and Mr. 
 Oliver Cromwell^ the Member for Cambridge^ 
 is a Colonel : and will raife Forces and Money 
 in that County and Norfolk and Suffolk. 
 
 Some part of Suffolk has fhown itfelfe in 
 Favour of the King, Would that my Lord 
 were at home : yet his Eftates lying chiefly in 
 Lincoln/hirey his Prefence there is doubtlefl!e 
 important. 
 
 Not only have the Wealthier Sort brought 
 in their Money, Silver Goblets, and fuch like, 
 but poore Women of their fmall meanes, even 
 to their Silver Bodkins and Thimbles. 
 
 The Royal Standard fet up in Nottinghame: 
 we heare that the King himfelfe rode up to the 
 Top of the Hill with the Standard Bearer: 
 the evening was ftormy, and the next morning 
 the Standard was found blown downe : & fome 
 fay it fo happened a fecond time, and many of 
 
Lady Willoiighby. 
 
 the Royallfl: Party much caft downe by an 
 Event fo ominous. Poore King^ my Heart 
 pitleth him, as who can help ? happy they who 
 are not fet in the high Places, 
 
 The King hath marched towards London: 
 the Parliament y having notice thereof, ordered 
 the Train-bands to be in readinefle, and that 
 the City fhould be fortified with Pofts and 
 Chaines : and they fay vaft numbers of People, 
 even Women and Children, came to the Worke, 
 digging and carrying the Earth to make the 
 new Fortifications. 
 
 Whilfl: that my Lord iom.^ while ago was 
 raifing and putting into order the Lincoln/hire 
 Militia, the King being informed thereof wrote 
 to him defiring him to defift: whereupon he 
 returned Anfwer, that it was not In his power 
 to do that which his Majejiy required of him, 
 without Breach of that Truft which he had 
 undertaken to the Parliament^ and to which 
 he was encouraged by the Opinion of his 
 Majejifs great Officers eminent in the Know- 
 ledge of the Lawes, wherein he was not learned. 
 
 The Lord Brooke is actively at worke in 
 TVarwick/hire. 
 
 Tidings of an Encounter betweene the two 
 Armies: the firft Report that our Side were 
 
 B5 
 
 1642. 
 
 September. 
 
 oa, 28, 
 
 Friday. 
 
86 
 
 1642. 
 
 From the Diary of 
 
 defeated: then came others that the King's 
 Forces were beaten with great Lofle. Certaine 
 it was that a Battle had beene fought : and late 
 in the evening I fawfrom my Bedroom Window 
 a Man riding up, his Horfe Humbling from 
 Fatigue, and prefently was told it was Shephard. 
 As onely from great Neceffitie would my Huf- 
 band fend from him this trufty Man, I feared 
 fome ill Newes : and when Shephard faid his 
 Lord was well, I could fcarcely ftand, fo great 
 was the Reliefe from that which I was afraid 
 of hearing. A battle had beene fought at a 
 Village called Keynton: Lord EJfex with his 
 Army in the Village, the King^s halted at 
 EdgehilL EJJex advanced into the Plaine, and 
 he ordered the Artillery to fire on that Part 
 where the King was reported to be : and a 
 terrible Fight began. The Royal Standard 
 was taken : Prince Rupert entered Keynton^ 
 pillaging and committing great Cruelty : men 
 fayd it would have gone hard with EJJex if he 
 had not thus loft time. My Lord joined them 
 with his Regiment, Hampden's and another, in 
 the height of the Conflict ; they had laine on 
 the Field all night, without Covering or Pro- 
 vifions. He told Shephard to tell mee he 
 could not be in better Company, Colonel 
 
Lady Willoughby. 
 
 Hampden and he being much together. Some 
 wifhed to purfue the King^ who Is gone to- 
 wards Banbury: others advifed Reft for the 
 Soldiers. I alked Shephard how my Lord 
 looked, and he fayth paffing well, not fo wearie, 
 to his thinking, as when in London: he is to 
 remaine one or two Dayes ; and take back 
 Linen, &c. After the firft hurry of Feeling 
 had fomewhat fubfided, I endeavoured to com- 
 pofe my Minde to a due Senfe of Thankful- 
 nefle that I am yet fpared Tidings of his being 
 wounded or even worfe : how many Wives 
 and Mothers at this time are weeping over 
 the Dead, or watching the Wounded & Dying : 
 and we know not whofe Turne will be next. 
 
 The Lord Say's Houfe at Broughton hath 
 beene taken by Prince Rupert. 
 
 Dr. Sampjon walked over from Framlingham^ 
 and ftayd Dinner : he hath heard that a fudden 
 Attack had beene made by the King on Brent- 
 ford. Lord EJfex was in the Houje^ which had 
 juft received a gracious Anfwer from the King^ 
 and alking if HoftiHties were to be fufpended: 
 Whilft he fpoke, he heard the Sound of Can- 
 non : he haftily left the Houfe, and gallopped 
 acrofle the Park In the direftion of the Sound : 
 & he found that Prince Rupert^ who was fol- 
 
 87 
 
 1642. 
 
 Nov. 2. 
 
 Nov. 18, 
 Saturday. 
 
88 
 
 1642. 
 
 From the Diary of 
 
 lowed by the King and the whole Army, had 
 taken advantage of a thick Fog, and had at- 
 tacked Brentford y where was Col. Hollis's Re- 
 giment, who fought fo well, the Regiments of 
 Colonel Hampden and my Lord Brooke had 
 Time to come up : s[nd when the Earle of 
 EJfex came up with a confiderable Force, he 
 found the Royalifts had retired, and were 
 ftationed quietly on the weftern fide of Brent- 
 ford, The Parliament is in great Indignation, 
 and have voted they will never treat with the 
 King againe. 
 
 EJfex at the head of more than 20,000 Men, 
 it is fayd, was urged by Hampden^ HolliSy and 
 others to purfue the Kingy who had retreated : 
 but for what reafon was not known, he re- 
 mained ftill. Cart-loads of Provifions, Wine, 
 and Ale, &c. were fent out of London to the 
 Army. 
 
 Some fay Sir Thomas Fairfax has beene de- 
 feated by the Earle of Newcajile. 
 
Lady Willoughby. 
 
 1643. 
 
 lEwes from London: the Parliament 
 have enter'd into a Negotiation 
 with the King^ to forme a Treaty 
 of Peace, in order whereunto 
 Commiffioners have beene appointed, and are 
 now at Oxford^ where it is fayd the King treats 
 them with Civility. He refufes to have the 
 Lord Say and Sele one of the Commiffioners, 
 becaufe he had proclaim'd him a Traitour : 
 and another was chofen in his place. Abroad 
 there feemeth only Gloom & Apprehenfion : 
 let mee hope that within our Home there is a 
 brighter Profped : Children well, and mending 
 of their little Faults ; and when I looke backe 
 on the Yeare juft paft, I fee Caufe for En- 
 couragement refpecfting them. And herein is 
 any effort at Self-difcipline well rewarded : 
 
 89 
 
 1643. 
 
 March 29, 
 Monday. 
 
90 
 
 164-3- 
 
 Tburjday. 
 
 March, 
 Monday^ 
 
 From the Diary of 
 
 the more clrcumfpeftly I endeavour to walke 
 in the ftrait and narrow Way, bearing cheer- 
 fully the Crofles, and performing with diligence 
 the Duties appointed mee, not onely is my 
 owne Progrefle in the Chrijiian Path made 
 evident in the Peace which at times I am 
 favoured to experience : but in the encreafed 
 Care and Watchfulnefle over the Tempers 
 and Condud of thefe deare Children, I am 
 Witnefle of their Growth in Virtue and Hap- 
 pinefle. Before this Yeare cometh to a clofe, 
 haply Peace may be in our borders^ and the People 
 fhall dwell in a peaceable Habitation^ and in 
 quiet rejiing-places. 
 
 People fay there was a Rifing for the King 
 at Lowejloffey and that Colonel Cromwell^ with 
 looo Horfe, came upon them unawares, and 
 gained the Towne with fmall difficulty : many 
 Prifoners taken. Hitherto this fide of the 
 Country, being moftly for the Parliament^ has 
 beene quiet : but now, I feare mee, we fhall 
 fhare in the general Difturbance. 
 
 It is confidently fayd Colonel Cromwell hath 
 gone to Norwich : Thankfull to heare the fame, 
 I had trembled to think of him within fo few 
 miles of us. 
 
 There is Newes that the Lord Brooke hath 
 
Lady Willoughby. 
 
 beene fhot : I would faine hope this may not 
 be the fad. The King has march'd forward 
 to London with a great Army. 
 
 Armftrong heard at Woodbridge^ when he went 
 to the Faire on Wednefday, that Colonel Crom- 
 well and my Lord have joined the Army at 
 Loughborough^ and are expeded to make an 
 Attack on Newark, They fay Cromwell's 
 Soldiers are the befl: ordered of any, fave Hamp- 
 den's Greencoates. The Lord Brooke's Death 
 is much lamented. A party of Soldiers had 
 taken pofleffion of the Cathedral at Litchfield^ 
 and fired at the Houfe where he then was, 
 and the bullet ftruck his Head, and he died 
 inftantly. He hath left 5 Children ; poore 
 young Man, he hath foone fallen : it is a 
 fatisfadlion to believe Lady Catherine and her 
 Family will meet with Helpe & Protedion 
 from the Earle of Bedford, 
 
 All hope of prefent Peace is at an end. 
 The Commiffioners are recalled from Oxford 
 without coming to any fettlement of thefe un- 
 happie differences. 
 
 Dr. Sampfon hath feene fome Letters wherein 
 is mention of S'. Thomas Fairfax having re- 
 ceived a Shot in his Wrift, the lofle of Blood 
 was fo great he lay on the ground fenfeleffe 
 
 9^ 
 
 1643- 
 
 April 19, 
 Wednejday, 
 
 May 16, 
 
 Tuejday. 
 
92 
 
 1643. 
 
 May 22, 
 
 Monday. 
 
 July. 
 
 From the Diary of 
 
 till his Surgeon came up. His Wife was taken 
 Prifoner with the Officer behind whom flie rid : 
 and the Child after being carried on horfeback 
 for twenty houres could not hold out longer, 
 and her Father thought would have dyed, in 
 the frequent Swoonings fhe did fall into. See- 
 ing her in fo diftreflefull a ftate, he bade her 
 Maid take her to a houfe he faw not farre oiF, 
 where fhe did meet with kindly Treatment. 
 
 No Newes of my Hujbandy but am com- 
 forted to heare that Sir 'Thomas Fairfax's little 
 Daughter hath recovered and his Wife hath 
 beene fent back by the Earle of Newcajlle in 
 his owne Coach, and with a guard of Soldiers. 
 See caufe to beleeve that I did moft confult my 
 deare Hufhand's eafe by remaining at home, of 
 which I have fometimes doubted. 
 
 Thanks be unto Gody I have to-day a few 
 Lines written by my deareft Life in much hafte. 
 A flight hurt of his left Arme being all the in- 
 jury he hath fuftained in the late Fight near 
 Grantham. Burleigh Houfe hath beene taken 
 by Cromwell. Heard with feelings of forrow 
 of the Deceafe of my honoured Uncle ^ the Lord 
 Noely at a great age. We have not met of late, 
 but I have never ceafed to love and refpedl him, 
 and have at times received Tokens of his Re- 
 
Lady Willoughby. 
 
 membrance, valuable to mee for my deare 
 Mother's fake, who did entertaine for him a 
 particular AfFeftion. 
 
 The Diurnall fayth Sir John Meldrun was 
 well nigh beaten at the Siege of Newark^ the 
 Garrifon fallying forth forced him to retreate, 
 but the Lord Willoughby came gallantly up 
 with his Regiment, and beate them backe into 
 the Towne, taking divers Prifoners and a piece 
 of Ordnance. Deare Hufbandy how conflidling 
 are my Feelings, one moment rejoicing in his 
 SuccefTe and proud of his Ability and Bravery ; 
 and then trembling for his Safety, and ftricken 
 in Confcience that I could heare of Strife and 
 Death, with aught but Horrour and Com- 
 paffion. 
 
 Further Particulars of the Siege of Gainf- 
 borough have reach'd us : Colonel Cromwell had 
 retired to Lincoln to recruit his Forces, and my 
 Lord was in Gainjhoroughy where he made a 
 brave Defence, and repulfed fundry Aflaults. 
 The Earle's Force confifted of 6000 Men : 
 upon their proceeding to fet fire to the Towne, 
 my Lordy to fave fo terrible a Diftreffe and 
 Ruine, founded a Parley, and furrender'd upon 
 quarter after eight days : but the Enemy broke 
 the Articles and difarm'd his Soldiers, and others 
 
 93 
 
 1643. 
 
 Wednejday. 
 
 Tburjday, 
 
94 
 
 164-3. 
 
 From the Diary of 
 
 that had beene fent from Nottinghame. He 
 hath now gone to Lincoln. He is confidered 
 to have done good Service, though the Towne 
 is loft, having made fome hundred Prifoners at 
 firft Taking of the Place, fome of them Men of 
 Rank, among them the Earle of Kingfton^ who 
 with others being fent in a clofe boat to Hull: 
 2l party of Cavaliers feeing them pafle by, called 
 to them to flop the Boat, which they refufing 
 to do, they fired, and fo the Earle and his Man 
 were flaine by their owne Friends. When I 
 fhall have private Intelligence I know not, or 
 how I beare up under this terrible uncertainty, 
 I know not : forely am I perplexed when I pray 
 unto the God of Peace and Love to give Suc- 
 cefle to our Armies : can his blefling reft upon 
 the Field of Strife and Death? Merciful IF^M^r, 
 looke with Pity on thy poore mifguided Crea- 
 tures, and over-rule all this Evill and Suffering 
 to a wife and rightfull iffue : and if it be pofTible, 
 reftore the Hufband and Father to his helplefTe 
 Family : and helpe mee, oh God^ to fupport 
 whatever tryall thou mayft think fit to fend 
 mee : and in my owne DiftrefTe may I the more 
 feeke to aide and comfort thofe who are yet 
 more afBifted than has yet beene my lot in this 
 time of Peril. 
 
Lady Willoughby. 
 
 In the Paper mention is made of a Con- 
 fpiracy : in which Mr. Waller is concerned : he 
 is fined, and hath gain'd Permiflion to go abroad. 
 Two Men have beene hang'd. 
 
 To-day my Pen muft record the faddeft 
 event that next to private lofTe could have hap- 
 pened : Hampderiy to whom all Men did looke 
 up as a Patterne of Virtue and a moft true 
 Patriot, has fallen : he was feverely wounded in 
 an encounter with Prince Ruperfs Troops, who 
 made a fudden Attack by night. Hampden s 
 active and courageous Temper could not wait 
 the flow fteps of EJfeXy and he rode up to fup- 
 port his Friends. It had beene confidently 
 fayd by many that EJfex would be removed 
 from the Command, and Hampden fucceed him, 
 and his Friends ftrove to keepe him back from 
 this Skirmifh. He was wounded in the fhoulder 
 by two balls, and rode off the Field in the 
 diredion of his Father-in-lawes Habitation at 
 Tyrton^ but could not go that way, by reafon 
 of the Enemy's Cavalry, and was taken into the 
 Houfe of one Browne : here he linger'd fome 
 days in fevere Torments, notwithftanding which 
 he writ divers Letters, and died on the 24th of 
 June, a few houres after taking the Sacrament^ 
 offering up fervent Prayers for his Country. 
 
 95 
 
 1643- 
 
 July ^ 
 
 Saturday, 
 
96 
 
 1643. 
 
 July 5, 
 
 Wednejday, 
 
 Sept. 21, 
 Thursday. 
 
 From the Diary of 
 
 We are tempted to exclaim. Why might not 
 one fo excellent be delivered from the terrour by 
 nighty and the arrow that flieth by day ? All- 
 moft it feemeth as a judgement from Heaven 
 upon our Caufe. We heare of fome ferious 
 Difafters to our Army : Brijiol is deliver'd up 
 to Prince Rupert^ and elfewhere the King's 
 Troops have beene fucceflefull. Sir Harry 
 Vane is in the North. 
 
 Heard at Framlingham that Hampden was 
 interred in the Parifh Church of Hampden^ his 
 Regiment followed him to the Grave finging 
 the 90th Pfalme : after feeing their Friend layd 
 in the Grave, they returned finging the 43d, 
 to exprefle their Truft in Gody and looking to 
 Him to deliver them and their Country from 
 Injuftice and Oppreffion. Thus do they truly 
 honour the Memory of their beloved Leader 
 in banding together to go on with his Worke : 
 never was there fuch Confternation and Sorrow 
 at one Man's Death, as when the Tidings there- 
 of did reach London^ in the Parliament y and the 
 People throughout the Land, as if their whole 
 Army had beene defeated : his private Loffe 
 is unfpeakable. 
 
 As day fucceedeth day I can only ftrive to 
 wait with fome degree of Compofure for the 
 
Lady Willoughby. 
 
 next Reports : one of our Neighbours came 
 up to the Hall to tell mee he had met with 
 fome wounded Soldiers a few Miles beyond 
 Wickhamy who told him Sir Thomas Fairfax 
 and Mr. Cromwell and my Lord have join'd 
 Forces^ and are defigned for the North, Hull 
 is befieged by the Earle of Newcajile : it is 
 fayd he had fecret Correfpondence with the 
 HothamSy which was timely difcover*d; and 
 Sir John Hotham and his Sonne are fent to the 
 Tower y and the Charge of the Towne given 
 to Sir Matthew Bointon^ the Brother-in-law of 
 Sir John. 
 
 The Towne of Nottinghame has beene fett 
 on fire, but not more than two or three Houfes 
 deftroy'd ; and the fame attempted againe at 
 divers times, fire having beene difcover'd layd 
 to barnes and other buildings ; it is fayd that 
 Women did go in companies at night, to prevent 
 the burning, which doth feeme ftrange. Mif- 
 trefle Lucy Hutchinjon hath not only drefled 
 the Wounds of many of their owne Soldiers, 
 but alfo of Prifoners brought into the Caftle 
 Dungeon. I have afore-time heard her much 
 commended as a kind Lady of great Capacity 
 and Learning; and Colonel Hutchinjon^ who 
 ever fince he was made Governour has had to 
 
 97 
 
 1643. 
 
 Sept. 25, 
 Monday, 
 
 H 
 
98 
 
 1643. 
 
 Sept. 26, 
 Tuefday. 
 
 From the Diary of 
 
 Dec. 15, 
 
 Friday, 
 
 contend with perfonal Jealoufies and Oppo- 
 fition, my Lord faith is one of the braveft and 
 moft honourable Men on our Side. 
 
 Tidings of a Battle at Newberry. The 
 Lord Faulkland killed : he hath foone followed 
 his once beloved Friend Hampden to the Grave, 
 and doubtlefle to a world where all Differences 
 will ceafe. He was a Gentleman of great parts 
 and did love to entertaine at his Houfe, near 
 Oxfordy Men of learning and ability : he was 
 courteous and juft to all, and did endeavour all 
 he could to promote Peace betweene the King 
 and his People. Alfo in this Battle the young 
 Earle of Sunderland hath loft his Life. 
 
 For a few dayes my deare Lord hath ftay'd 
 with us : and I have fome hope, now that the 
 fevere Seafon hath fet in, that he may perchance 
 get time to fee his Family, and fettle his Af- 
 faires : he hath now departed for London. He 
 faith the Lord Faulkland had of late beene a 
 changed Man : his gentle Spiritt & quick 
 Feelings fo diftreffed, that he could not fleepe, 
 and would oft fit long in filence, at times 
 uttering with deep Sighs the words Peace^ 
 Peacey and would fay to his Friends, the very 
 Agony of the Warre^ and the Sight of the Ca- 
 lamities and Defolation the Kingdome did and mtiji 
 
Lady Willoughby. 
 
 endure^ would Jhortly breake his Heart, He 
 was confider'd to have fought his Death, having 
 no call to enter into the Fight, he being Secre- 
 tary of State : he replied to one who did urge 
 this on him, that he was wearie of the Times, 
 and forefaw much Mifery to his Countrey, and 
 did beleeve he fhould be out of it ere night: 
 and did call for a cleane Shirt, that his Friends 
 might find his Body cleanly arrayed. If in 
 more of Men's Minds was this Abhorrence of 
 Warre and Strife, how happy would it be for 
 mankind : but others fay, yes but men muft 
 firft adt juftly, then would they meete with 
 Mercy. This the King hath never done by 
 his People, and now he muft fuflfer: what is 
 a Crowne, if the head that wears it is dif- 
 honoured ? 
 
 My deare Hujband well in Body, but ill at 
 eafe in Mind. 
 
 Poore Mr. Pym is deceafed after a life of 
 Toyle and Suffering. 
 
 99 
 
 1643. 
 
100 
 
 1643-4. 
 
 January i, 
 Monday^ 
 
 From the Diary of 
 
 f^^^ 
 
 1643-4. 
 
 He Sealbn of Chrijimajfe hath 
 
 pafT'd gloomily. At a time when 
 
 Families are divided by civlll 
 
 Differences and many gathered 
 
 round a darkened and defolate Hearth, there is 
 
 not much difpofition to Mirthfulnefle. The 
 
 newe Yeare hath arifen upon a diftreffed Land: 
 
 the Dayes and the Weekes thereof are yet in 
 
 the Hand of the Almightie: and who fhall live 
 
 or who fhall die we know not. Apart from 
 
 the publick Diftradions and UnhappinefTe, 
 
 I precious Bleffings and abundant Mercies fill 
 
 I our Houfe with rejoicing and thankfgiving : 
 
 ; not onely Life but Limbs fpared to him who 
 
 J had to go forth into Battle and danger, and 
 
 Nurferie profpering. Methought as yefterday 
 
 I fate by a bright Fire-fide, my three little 
 
 Daughters playing round mee, and the deare 
 
Lady Willoughby. 
 
 Father^ though abfent, in health and prefent 
 fafetie, few were fo bleil, fuddenly their play 
 ceafed, and T>i & Fanny were no where to be 
 feene, Bejs on my Knee : when hidden in the 
 deep Bay Window, they fung to my eare very 
 fweetly the Carols they had learned from the 
 Neighbours Children : they ftaid up to Supper, 
 and kept up a fine Prattle. 
 
 Walked downe to Wingfields : the poore 
 Mother is in a pitiable ftate, her Son's lingering 
 Death has worne her away, & fhe doth long 
 to lay her head befide him in the Grave. 
 Strove to comfort her, but beleeve fhe took 
 more in feeing mee fhare her Sorrow than in 
 any Words I could fay. Went on to fee the 
 Soldier who had his arme broken, befide other 
 injuries ; he was greatly better, and able to 
 walke a little : he fate cleaning his Carbine & 
 Sword, & the Teares ran downe his Wife's 
 pale Cheeke as he talked of againe joining the 
 Army, fo foone as he could beare the Fatigue: 
 poore Creatures. The King hath fummoned a 
 Parliament at Oxford: it is reported many 
 have left the one fitting at Weftminfter. 
 
 The King has beene forced to leave Oxford^ 
 and is gone to Worcefter. The Earle of Man- 
 chefter and his General Cromwell are in the 
 
 1 oi 
 
 1643-4. 
 
 January 27, 
 Saturday, 
 
 May 31, 
 
 Friday, 
 
102 
 
 1644. 
 
 From the Diary of 
 
 North. This Oliver Cromwell rifeth more & 
 more into note. 
 
 As we fate downe to dine to-day fome Horfe- 
 men were feene to approach, and Sir Harry 
 Vane came into the Hall : he was on his way to 
 Fairlawn: and in much kindnefle rode fo farre 
 out of his way to bring mee good Tidings of 
 him neareft to my Heart, and of the growing 
 Succefle of the People's Friends : He is hurry- 
 ing on to rejoyne the Army at Yorke^ where 
 are the Earle, General Fairfax^ and Colonel 
 Cromwell ; a, large body of Scotch Troopes 
 under their old Commander Le^ie have joined 
 them. So foone as he was gone, retired to 
 my Clofet difturbed in Minde and Confcience : 
 in Confcience, that I had beene ledde away by 
 Sir Harry's vehement and powerfull Minde 
 to catch fomething of the fame Spirit whilft 
 liftening to particulars of this terrible Warfare, 
 wherein feemeth to mee now a want of womanly 
 TendernefTe and Pity, and forely diftracfted is 
 my poore Minde by conflicting feelings of 
 Wife and Mother : our Duties feparate us in 
 thefe fearefull Times : hitherto I have remained 
 calmly at my poft, but how can I longer abide 
 fo farre from one expofed to fuiFering and Death, 
 who is dearer than my owne Life ? Yet have 
 
Lady Willoughby. 
 
 I beene fupported through times of like Anxiety 
 in a good degree of Quietnefle & Patience : 
 let mee pray for renewed Strength and Faith. 
 
 The ^eene hath given birth to a Daughter 
 at Exeter y on the i6th. 
 
 The Chaplaine returned Thankes at morning 
 Prayers for the Vi6lory gained by our Army : 
 he hath received Intelligence, it feemeth, by a 
 fure hand, that a great Battle hath beene fought 
 at a place called Mar ft on Moor^ a few miles 
 from Torke. 
 
 Some further Particulars have reached us: 
 Prince Rupert has bene wholly defeated, a 
 vafte number of Prifoners taken, as alfo Armes 
 of divers forts, Pouder-barrels, the Colours and 
 Standards, and more than 20 Pieces of Ord- 
 nance. The loffe on our part fmall : alas, alas, 
 all are Engli/hmefiy & Children of one common 
 Father. Sir Thomas Fairfax his Men have 
 received great Hurt, and himfelfe well nigh 
 loft his Life: his Brother Charles hath fince 
 dyed of his Wounds and lies buried there. 
 
 I have no Letter, but a Meffage by word of 
 mouth, that fets my Heart at reft : Thanks be 
 unto God. 
 
 The^ Earle of Newcaftle hath left the King- 
 dome, and fo it is reported hath Sir Marma- | 
 
 103 
 
 1644. 
 
 June 1 8, 
 Tuesday, 
 
 July 6, 
 Saturday, 
 
 July II, 
 Thurjday. 
 
104 
 
 1644. 
 
 oa. 22, 
 
 Tuejday. 
 
 Nov. 18, 
 Monday, 
 
 Nov. 19, 
 Tuejday* 
 
 From the Diary of 
 
 duke Langdale and others. Our Army has 
 taken pofleflion of Yorke. 
 
 It hath beene very cold of late ; fharp Froft 
 in the Nights, the Oak Leaves wither and fade 
 and come fluttering downe with every little 
 Blafl: : and the Swallows are gone away, after 
 colleding in Flocks on the Roofe of the Houfe, 
 during the paft Weeke. 
 
 The Archbifhop of Canterbury hath againe 
 beene brought before the barre of the Houfe* 
 
 Great Feare and Amazement in the Countrey 
 round at the fight of three Sunnes in the 
 firmament, and a Rainebow with the Bend 
 towards the Earth : & this happening on the 
 Kings Birth-day, many did thinke it portended 
 Evill to him, and it was remembered that a 
 remarkable Starre was feene to fliine at noone- 
 day, the Day whereon the Prince of Wales was 
 borne : fome wept and trembled, and divers 
 both men and women did kneele downe in the 
 roads & fields. That which did moft afFed 
 my Minde was beholding the Bow, that had 
 beene fet in the Clowde as a Token of the 
 everlafting Covenant, now appearing as it were 
 overthrown. I had withdrawne to my Clofet, 
 when Alice did fend to fpeake with mee in the 
 Still-room : She had beene out to looke at the 
 
Lady Willoughby. 
 
 wondrous Sight, and was greatly perturbed : 
 I did remaine with her till flie was fomewhat 
 comforted. 
 
 'L.tX.ttrixovci London: Mr. Cromwell h^th.md.dt 
 a ftrong Speech in the Houfey and a Mr. Zouch 
 Tate hath moved the bringing in of an Ordinance 
 to exclude all Members of Parliament ^ whether 
 of the Houfe of Lords or Commons ^ from Com- 
 mand & Offices in the Army; he was feconded 
 by Sir Harry Vane^ and the Motion carried. A 
 Petition from the Citizens oi London hath beene 
 prefented, thanking the Houfe for their Care over 
 the Commonwealth. Oppofition by Whitelock 
 and others, who fpoke againft the Motion as 
 a perilous and uncalled for novelty. 
 
 The Bill which they call the Self-denying Or- 
 dinance has paft : In my Ignorance I know not 
 what is liketo betheEffedl of thisnew Aft : they 
 fay the Removal of EJfex is chiefly aimed at. 
 
 Diflenfions arife in our owne Party : frefh 
 Difcuffion on the Self-denying Ordinance Bill, 
 which has at length pafled the Commons ; but 
 when fent up to the Lords was rejefted. The 
 Commons have named Sir "Thomas Fairfax as 
 General in chief in place of the Earle, and 
 other Alterations in the Army have beene made, 
 & partly agreed to by the Lords. 
 
 ^^05 
 
 1644. 
 
 Dec. II, 
 
 JVednefday, 
 
io6 
 
 1644-5. 
 
 January 6, 
 Monday. 
 
 January 14, 
 Tuejday, 
 
 From the Diary of 
 
 1644-5. 
 
 Letter from my deare Lord: he 
 writes with melancholy Heart, 
 no Effort could fave his former 
 % Friend, poore Sir John Hotham 
 has beene put to death : his Son was executed the 
 day before. Sir John had few Friends, he had 
 a cold harfh manner : the Lords had paft a 
 Vote for his Reprieve, which being known, he 
 did fully expefl: one to the laft moment : but 
 the Commons would not give way, the Execu- 
 tion proceeded. 
 
 The Chaplaine is returned : another of thefe 
 dreadfull Executions : the Archbi/kop was be- 
 headed on the loth, poore old Man, he hath 
 fuffered even in this world a large meafure of re- 
 tribution for his paft Cruelties : at the end of 
 his Speech, when upon the Scaffold, he faid he 
 
Lady Willoughby. 
 
 forgave all the World, all and every of his bitter 
 Enemies ; that no man could be more willing 
 to fend him out of the World than he was 
 to go out. Some over-zealous Prejbyterian 
 did prefle him with Queftions : he replied the 
 Knowledge of Jefus Chriji was alone the meanes 
 of Salvation. To the Head fman he gave fome 
 Money, and faid. Do thine office in Mercy, As 
 he knelt downe, he turned pale, thereby proving 
 it falfe what fome were whifpering about, that 
 he had painted his face, that he might not looke 
 afraid. It is thought that he was brought to 
 Death chiefly by meanes of the Scots Party, in 
 their vehement and unchriftian Revenge for 
 the Part he had taken to force upon them the 
 Liturgy^ and to remove him out of their way. 
 
 The Scots CommifTioners have obtained the 
 fetting afide of the abhorred Liturgy : but 
 Parliament refufes to give them any legifla- 
 tive or judiciall Authority : fo the Chaplaine 
 doth informe mee. 
 
 Sir Harry Vane is appointed one of the 
 Parliament's Commiflioners to meete thofe of 
 the King at a town called Uxbridge. What 
 Mercy would it be, if a peacefuU Settlement 
 could now be entered into, of the Countrefs 
 Grievances and the King's Claims : and this 
 
 107 
 
 1644.-5. 
 
 January 30, 
 Wednejday. 
 
io8 
 
 1644.5. 
 
 From the Diary of 
 
 would feeme not unpoflible, if the King's Word 
 could be depended upon. It is thought he 
 might be brought to yeeld fome Points but for 
 the Influence of the ^eene^ which is never for 
 good. She it was who added the Pofl:fcript 
 to the Kings Letter on Strafford's bufinefle, 
 That if he muji die^ it were charity to reprieve 
 him till Saturday. 
 
 This being my Diana's Birth-day, I did my 
 endeavour to contrive for her fome Amufement 
 more than ordinary : tooke her firfl to my 
 Clofet, and after halfe an houre fpent there in, 
 I hope, a profitable manner, we joined the other 
 Children. She is now eight yeares of age, 
 mends of her little Faults, and hath gained a 
 greater degree of command over her Temper: 
 {he is Truthfull, and fhoweth a tender Con- 
 fcience, a6live and induftrious, and withall can 
 enjoy a Game of Play right well. She bids 
 fair to be comely in Countenance and of grace- 
 full Carriage : a Satisfadion to mee, as doubt- 
 lefle it will be to herfelfe. I profefle not to be 
 indifl^erent on this Point for my Daughters, 
 as fome are or pretend to be: neither do I 
 think beauty any peculiar Snare to the pofleflbr 
 of it, but rather contrariwife, unlefle the Minde 
 be negleded, or is by nature vaine 8r felfifh 
 
Lady Willoughby. 
 
 beyond the ordinary degree in which thefe 
 Defe6ls are fhared by moft : and even then 
 fuch Paffions are no worfe than in the ill- 
 favoured, though mayhap more confpicuous 
 by the contraft. The three Girls and fome 
 young Companions made very merry. 
 
 My deare Lord arrived moft unexpectedly : 
 he faith there is no hope of Peace. After three 
 weekes Negotiations, the Parliament have re- 
 called their Commiffioners. He looketh worne, 
 & would faine leave all thefe Diftracftions, & 
 doth fometimes talke of going out to Barbadoes : 
 Jealoufies and Bickerings increafe ; and he with 
 fome others, fickened with Warre and Intrigue, 
 are readie to make allmoft any Terms with the 
 King. Would that our good and excellent 
 Friend Hampden had beene fpared : trufted by 
 all, & wife as brave, we fhould have had a head 
 to our Party, fit to governe, & one whom all 
 would follow. Sir Harry Vane in clofe Intimacy 
 with Cromwell: he and Fairfax keep up the 
 Energy and determined Spirit of the Parlia- 
 mentary Partie. How fmall a matter it feemeth 
 would fet all right. 
 
 During the time my deare Hujband could 
 remaine, found not time for writing. 
 
 A long time hath elapfed fince I held the 
 
 109 
 
 1644-5. 
 
 Feb. 26, 
 Tuefday. 
 
 April 9, 
 Wednejday. 
 
I TO 
 
 1645. 
 
 From the Diary of 
 
 penne : the illnefTe of my three Girls hath 
 occupied mee night and day. Fanny began 
 with the Meafles, and had a dangerous time of 
 it, through the Fever which ranne high, and 
 Symptomes of Inflammation of the Lunges : 
 and for many nights I did never undrelTe : Di 
 followed, but thro' Mercy had the Complaint 
 lightly : and deare Bejs^ tho' fadly troubled by 
 the Irritation, had but little Cough. This 
 Seafon of Care and bodily Fatigue, and at 
 one time of Alarm, hath not beene without its 
 Ufe and Comfort : Troubles that arife in the 
 naturall Courfe of Providence^ and are adapted 
 to our Nature and Situation, bring with them 
 fomewhat of Peace, and oft of Thankfulnefl!e. 
 We receive Paine and Sicknefle as from the 
 Hand of Gody and looke to him to helpe us 
 under them : and my Minde having thus beene 
 called ofF from the Contemplation of the dif- 
 treflefuU State of this poore unhappy Countrey, 
 is renewed in Strength. Many fweet little 
 Sayings of the Children at different times of 
 their Sicknefle have given mee great Encourage- 
 ment refpeding them : can there be ought fo 
 precious to a Mother as a fure Hope that the 
 Spirit of her Child hath tafled of the Fountaine 
 of living Waters ? May the Lord helpe mee to 
 
Lady Willoughby. 
 
 cherifh thefe faire Bloflbms of Piety & Good- 
 neffe : and grant that they may bring forth, 
 fome thirty, fome fixty fold. And, oh God^ 
 thou who haft made mee, unworthy as I am, 
 to be the Inftr jment of thy good Providence 
 towards thefe L'ttle ones, make mee daily more 
 fenfible of my owne Sinfuilnefle, my owne 
 Weakeneffe, and affift mee in the Worke thou 
 haft given mee to do. According unto the 
 Multitude of thy tender Mercies blot out my 
 Tranjgrejfions : wajh me thoroughly from mine 
 Iniquity^ and cleanje mee from my ftnne. Create < 
 in mee a cleane Hearty O God, and renew a right 
 Spirit within mee. Thou haft crowned mee with 
 Loving-kindnejfe and tender mercies : hlejfe the 
 Lord^ O my Soul, 
 
 Cambden Houje near Evefham, Sir Baptift 
 NoeVsy has beene burnt downe to prevent the 
 Parliament making it a Garrifon. It was built 
 not many yeares ago at a great Coft and was 
 a noble Building. 
 
 T'le day fo milde the Children went out, 
 and^iid greatly enjoy the frefti aire, and rambling 
 about the Fields : feated on the Bank by the 
 Pond, they wove Caps and Bafkets of Rufties. 
 Fannys dainty Hands and Aim Fingers looking 
 barely ftrong enough for the worke : whilft we 
 
 I II 
 
 1645. 
 
 May. 
 
 June 21, 
 Saturday, 
 
I 12 
 
 1645. 
 
 June 25, 
 Wednejday, 
 
 From the Diary of 
 
 were all at worke, we faw Dr. Samp/on coming 
 acrofle the Field: whereupon I left them, to 
 hear what newes he might bring. At their 
 tender age, I like not their hearing of Fighting 
 and Crueltie more than can be helped. I have 
 heard little of publick Affaires fince the Battle 
 at Najebyy whereat our Army was vidorious, & 
 Colonel CromwelTs part much noifed abroad. 
 Dr. Samp/on fays the King's Caufe hath fuffered 
 more by the Letters found in his Cabinet, the 
 fame being now made publick, than by his 
 Defeate : many of his Friends greatly grieved 
 thereby : his Double-dealing and Arrogance 
 herein proved, during his Treaty with the 
 Parliament at Uxbridge^ as likewife in the Irijh 
 Affaire. He has now left Ragland Caftle^ it 
 is fuppofed making towards the North. Prince 
 Rupert delivering up the City of Brijiol in 
 foure Dayes, after that he had boafled he could 
 keepe it foure Months, hath greatly incenfed 
 the King againft him. Whilfl at Ragland the 
 King did give in to Hunting and other Sports, 
 and this the while his People were fufFering, 
 and many giving up their Property and Time 
 in his Caufe, his very Crowne too in peril. 
 
 Reading in the Arcadia the Prayer oi Pa- 
 mela: fo well pleafed therewith that I know 
 
hady Willoughby. 
 
 not that I can fpend my Time more profitably 
 this morning than in copying the fame, that I 
 may have it nigh at hand. 
 
 O all-feeing Light, and eternal Life of 
 all things : to whom nothing is either fo 
 great that it may refift, or fo fmall that it 
 is contemned : looke upon my Mifery with 
 thine Eye of Mercy, and let thine infinite 
 Power vouchfafe to limit out fome portion 
 of Deliverance unto mee, as to thee fhall 
 feeme moft convenient. Let not Injury, O 
 Lord^ triumph over mee, and let my Faults 
 by thy Hand be corrected, and make not 
 mine unjuft Enemy the Minifter of thy Juf- 
 tice. But yet, my Gody if in thy Wifdom 
 this bee the apteft Chaftifement for my in- 
 excufable Folly, if this low Bondage bee 
 fitteft for my over-high Defires, if the Pride 
 of my not enough humble Heart bee thus 
 to bee broken, O Lord^ I yield unto thy 
 will and joyfully embrace what Sorrow thou 
 wilt have mee fufFer. Onely thus much let 
 me crave of thee (let my craving, O Lord, 
 bee accepted of thee^ fince even that proceeds 
 from thee), let mee crave even by the nobleft 
 Title, which in my greateft Afiliftion I may 
 give myfelfe, that I am thy Creature, and 
 
 113 
 
 1645. 
 
114 
 
 1645. 
 
 From the Diary of 
 
 by thy Goodnefle (which is thyfelfe) that 
 thou wilt fufFer fome beame of thy Majeftie 
 fo to fhine into my Minde that it may ftill 
 depend confidently on thee. Let Calamitie 
 bee the exercife, but not the overthrow of 
 my Virtue : let this Power prevail, but 
 prevail not to their deftru6lion : let my 
 GreatnefTe be their Prey : let my pain bee 
 the Sweetnefle of their Revenge : let them, 
 if fo it feemeth good unto thee, vex me with 
 more and more Punifhment. But, O Lord, 
 let never their Wickednefle have fuch a 
 Hand, but that I may carry a pure Minde 
 in a pure Body. 
 
 Having beene told that Peggy Lydgate was 
 in trouble, I fett forth early as it was farre 
 to walke. Tooke with mee the young Grey- 
 hound. Refted awhile at the Bridge, faw 
 many Fifti, and a Water hen with her young 
 ones paddling about at the Water's edge by 
 the tall Reeds. The King-fifhers did ufe to 
 frequent hereabout, but they came not in fight 
 to-day : feare mee they have beene killed or 
 frighted away : the People deem it lucky to 
 poflefl!e them, and hang them up in their 
 houfes. Further downe where the fl:reame 
 narrows fl:ayed againe to hearken to the pleafant 
 
Lady Willoughby. 
 
 Sound made by the Water running with little 
 fplafhes amid the ftones, and keeping up a 
 chearfuU rippling noife as it went on its way 
 through the Meadow below. The Doore of 
 the Cottage was open, Peggy was feated on a 
 low ftool, her Face covered with her Apron, 
 the 2 Lads {landing by her. The poore 
 Creature hath caufe enow for trouble, both 
 her Sons would be Souldiers, the elder in the 
 King's Army, whilft the younger would join 
 the Parliament Forces, fome of his Kinsfolk 
 having a yeare agone followed Mr. Oliver 
 Cromwell ; fo in all likelihood would the Bro- 
 thers meet in fight againft each other. They 
 did appeare moved by their Mother's griefe, 
 the youngeft methought fhewed fome tokens 
 of yielding. I bade him follow mee good 
 part of the way home and have hope that a 
 few words I then fpake would prove of fome 
 avail ment. 
 
 Armftrong mett Robert Lydgate^ he fayd his 
 Mother tooke on fo, hee had not the heart to 
 leave her : his Brother was gone. 
 
 My Lord telleth mee he met with Colonel 
 Hammondy who was at the taking of Bajing- 
 houfey and made Prifoner there: he and an- 
 other Officer were taken before the Houfe was 
 
 115 
 
 1645. 
 
 Aug. 16, 
 -Saturday^ 
 
 oa. 20, 
 
 Monday. 
 
ii6 
 
 1645. 
 
 From the Diary of 
 
 attacked, by a Party ftealing out therefrom on 
 
 a foggy night. Lieutenant General Cromwell 
 
 wrote a Letter acquainting the Governour that 
 
 if any violence were offered thefe Men, the 
 
 beft in the Houfe fhould not expedl Quarter. 
 
 The CountefTe of Wincheftefs Gentlewoman 
 
 and Waiting-woman were killed by a cannon 
 
 (hot. Sir Marmaduke Rawdon declared to 
 
 the MarquefTe who propofed to furrender, 
 
 he would not, fo long as a dog, or a cat or rat 
 
 did remaine : yet it would feeme there was 
 
 not much Danger of fuch Extremity, there 
 
 being found in the Caftle vaft ftore of Wheat, 
 
 and 300 Flitches of Bacon, and forty thoufand 
 
 pounds weight of Cheefe, befides Beef. They 
 
 took oiF the Lead from the Turrets, to ufe for 
 
 Bullets : and the Marchionefle with her Ladies 
 
 did heipe to caft them. There were within 
 
 the Caftle 600 common Soldiers, moft whereof 
 
 Papifts, and fought defperately. Inigo Jones ^ 
 
 the great Builder, is one of the Prifoners. So 
 
 likewife was Wincejlaus Hollar who did make 
 
 his efcape. He is one well {killed in the Arte 
 
 of engraving on Copper. My Lord Arundell 
 
 did once fhow mee fome fmall Figures by him, 
 
 of Women of divers Condition and mode of 
 
 Apparell, accurately defigned from the Life, 
 
Lady Willoughby. 
 
 Merchants' Wives, Country- Women, and the 
 like. Hollar had Loffe of his Patron when the 
 Earky who brought him to England^ accom- 
 panied the ^eene Mother and did remaine in 
 Foreign Parts : the King^ having look'd coldly 
 on him fince the Affaire of Strafford he did 
 not incline to returne. Alfo it is fayd his 
 Majejiie was offended by his boldnefle of 
 Speech on fome occafion, maintaining his own 
 Right, albeit oppofed to the King's Wifhes. 
 Colonel Hammond fayth, the Marqueffe, on 
 fome Quarrel, with Sir Marmaduke^ he being 
 of the Englijh Church, and the Marqueffe a 
 Roman Catholick, became fufpicious of him 
 being the Governour, and had him removed: 
 and fhortly thereafter the Houfe was taken, 
 the Storme not lafting more than an houre. 
 The Silver plate. Cabinets, Jewells, and other 
 Treafure did afford rich Plunder : the Houfe 
 is burned down to the Ground. 
 
 Greatly furprifed to read in the Perfect Di- 
 urnally that the Houfe has moved that the Lord 
 Willoughby be made an Earle, and the fame of 
 other Lords, and that the Earles of EJfeXy Fern- 
 brokcy &c. be made Dukes : in all likelihood 
 the matter will end here. They whofe Titles 
 are of long Defcent, methinks, would not con- 
 
 117 
 
 1645. 
 
I!8 
 
 1645. 
 
 From the Diary of 
 
 fider newe ranke, given under the circumftances, 
 as any addition to their Dignitie. We heare 
 an Englijh Barony is to bee conferred on Lieu- 
 tenant General Cromwell^ with an Eftate of 
 2500 Pound yearly. 
 
 A Neighbour of the blind Widow came up 
 at Noone to fay the poore infirme Creature 
 did appeare neare her lafl: Houre : went ftraight- 
 way to her Cottage, flie was ftill fenfible, and 
 did exprefle great Satisfadion at my coming : 
 fate fome time by her Bed-fide, ftie fpoke of 
 her Sonne, whom fhe yet beleeves living, and 
 ftrong were her Supplications that Divine 
 mercy might be extended to him, that he might 
 turne from the Evill of his Wayes, even at the 
 Eleventh Houre : My poore prodigal Sonne, 
 thus ftie fpake, hath he in that diftant Land, 
 away from his poore old Mother, call'd to 
 Minde her Words, her Prayers, and returned 
 to his Heavenly Father, faying, / have finned 
 in thy fight y and am no more v; or thy to be called 
 thy Sonne. If the Lord in his Mercy would 
 give mee this hope, then would his unworthy 
 Servant depart in peace. She feemed com- 
 forted: and repeated at intervals, IVith God 
 all things are pojftble. I left her in her awful 
 Paflage from Life unto Death, a paflage to her 
 
Lady Willoughby. 
 
 119 
 
 deprived of Terrour, for her Faith forfooke her 
 not^ but rather burned brighter and brighter, 
 even to the End : ftie did not live through the 
 night. Her Gaine is my Lofle : though poore 
 and meane, I have failed not to find in her 
 Company Edification and ofttimes Comfort. 
 
 The King hath fled by night from Newark 
 to Oxford: the two Houfes have againe refolved 
 to fubmit to him certaine Propofitions. 
 
 My Lord hath heard that the young Earle 
 of Carlifle hath eftablifh'd his Claime to the 
 Barbadoes Property, and is inclin d to enter 
 into Negotiation concerning the fame. Prefent 
 Perill in fighting or ftrife, or Perill of the deepe 
 waters and peftilence, whichfoever way I turne 
 Trouble on every fide. 
 
 An Order hath paff'd that the Summe of 
 3300 pounds be paid to the Lord Willoughhy^ 
 which I am fure the fayd Lord much needeth. 
 
 The Children greatly pleafed with a tame 
 Squirrel fent them by the old Man at the Mill. 
 Three Turkies and a Bafket of Fifli came up 
 this day from Martins', 
 
 Latham Houfe m Lancajhire is taken : the 
 Lady Derby having defended it two yeares : 
 the Earle in the Ijle of Man by the Kin^s 
 command. For 9 Months together the be- 
 
 1645. 
 
 oa. 23, 
 
 Tburjday, 
 
 Dec. 9, 
 Tuefday* 
 
120 
 
 1645. 
 
 Dec. 18, 
 Thurjday, 
 
 From the Diary of 
 
 fieged Party held Communication with their 
 Friends by meanes of a Dog, in this way : 
 they tied a Letter round his Throat, and he 
 went to where he did ufe to live, 3 miles off: 
 here he was kept, and when any Papers were 
 to be fent, his MiftrefTe tyed them in like 
 manner, and having kept him awhile a hunger'd, 
 open'd the door and beat him out, when he fet 
 off and returned to his Mafter, who was in 
 Latham Houfe. He was at lafl: fliot by a 
 Souldier, but got to the Mote-fide near the 
 Gate, and there died. The Houfe is burnt : 
 the rich filk Hangings of the Beds were torn to 
 pieces, and made into Safhes. This hiftory of 
 the Dog was related to mee by one there prefent. 
 Great Difagreement in the Houfe : the Scotts 
 take the Side of the Prefbyterians. There 
 feemeth no Mafter-minde to give a fteady 
 Direction to the Power they have gained. 
 General Cromwell & Fairfax are away from 
 LondoHy deeming it moft prudent, as they hold 
 out, to bring the reft of the Kingdome into 
 fubjeftion to the Parliamenty before they be- 
 fiege the King at Oxford, People remark that 
 other Generals fhut themfelves up in Winter- 
 quarters, but this Cromwell fets at Defiance the 
 Cold of Winter, Stormes and Darknefl^e. 
 
Lady Willoughby. 
 
 1646. 
 
 Aft weeke Fairfax & Cromwell 
 reached Newberry^ a place within 
 a fhort diftance from Oxford^ and 
 where the Lord Faulkland was 
 killed, whereupon the King fled from that City 
 in difguife : furely brought to this extremity 
 he would yeeld to his Parliamenty and keepe 
 to his Engagements. He hath made a Treaty 
 with the ScotSy through his Agent MontreuiL 
 I do heartily wifh they may convey him in 
 fafety to Scotland^ and thence beyond Seas, 
 there to abide for a time, till the heate of 
 Men's Spirits againft him pafTe away, and haply 
 then Affaires might be fettled for his returne 
 to his Kingdome. The Prince of Wales is 
 fayd to have efcaped. My deare Hujband is 
 wearie of the Confufion, and apprehendeth an 
 
 121 
 
 1646. 
 
 April. 
 
122 
 
 1646. 
 
 June. 
 
 July 20. 
 
 Auguft 19, 
 Wednejday. 
 
 From the Diary of 
 
 Army may in the ende be more tyrannical and 
 a worfe Enemie to contend with than a King. 
 
 It is fayd the poore defeated King flits like a 
 hunted Partridge from one Garrifon to another; 
 the laft Report was of his being at Newark. 
 The Princes Rupert and Maurice have de- 
 manded Pafleports of Parliament to go beyond 
 feas. The Commons readily complyed, with 
 Thankfulnefle to get rid of one who hath fhed 
 fo much Engli/h Blood. Prince Rupert hath 
 latterly fliewne great Difrefped & contemp- 
 tuous Manner to the King, 
 
 On the 15th Parliament fent Deputies to 
 the King at Newcaftle^ with an Addrefs con- 
 taining Propofitions exprefling their wifh for 
 Peace. 
 
 Sitting yefterday toward evening at the Bay- 
 window, in great Abftracftion of Minde, op- 
 prefled by a fenfe of my lonely Condition, I 
 did weepe unreftrainedly, knowing not that I 
 was perceived by any, until a little Hand was 
 put into mine, and Lizzy's face was rayfed up 
 to kifle mee. SorrowfuU Thoughts could not 
 be at once (tt afide, and I did not fpeake to her 
 for a time, for my Heart was heavy. She fate 
 quietly downe at my Feet with a gentle loving 
 looke and fo remained. The Raine had ceafed 
 
Lady Willoughby. 
 
 and the Sunne fhon in through the fide cafe- 
 ment. The Light as it fell upon her golden 
 Haire made her feeme like to the holy Children 
 in the Italian Pidures. Of fuch, methought, 
 are the Kingdom of Heaven : thus looketh, 
 and haply is even now nigh unto mee, feparated 
 only by this veil of Flefh, the Spirit of my 
 precious Child : as the Flower of the Field fo 
 he perifhed, & my Heart yet yearneth after 
 him, my Firft-borne. Arofe and tooke Lizzy 
 in my armes and held Her up to the Window. 
 A few pale flowers of the Mufk Rofe fmelled 
 fweetly after the Raine. Di and Fanny were 
 running on the Terrace : wee went out to them, 
 and they were as merrie as Birds : and I did 
 put from me my own Griefe. Very gracious 
 is the Lord unto me, and in him will I truft. 
 
 Had occafion to looke for fome Papers wanted 
 by the Steward, having relation to the Eftates 
 in Lincolnfhire, which I thought to find in the 
 Cabinet, prefented to mee by my honoured 
 Father on my Marriage. Found them not 
 therein, opened a little Drawer which did con- 
 taine a Box made of the Wood called Sandal 
 of a fweet Perfume, a fmall piece of Amber, 
 and a Signet Ring of wrought Gold curioufly 
 graven, which if I mifremember not Sir Henry 
 
 123 
 
 1646. 
 
 Auguft 22, 
 Saturday. 
 
!24 
 
 1646. 
 
 Auguft. 
 
 Sept. 16. 
 
 From the Diary of 
 
 Wot ton did bring from Italy. In another 
 Drawer was a fprig of Rofemarie, how much 
 hath come to pafle fince the day whereon I tooke 
 it with mee in fadnefle from the defolate room 
 where my deare Mother departed this life ! fhe 
 went to a timely Reft. 
 
 Newes hath arrived that Fair/ax has taken 
 Ragland Caftle in Wales. The old Marquefle 
 held out bravely more than ten dayes, but at 
 length furrender'd : as many as eight hundred 
 People and Souldiers march'd forth the Caftle, 
 which I have heard fay is a noble Building. 
 The Marquefle was accompanied by his Sonne 
 Lord Charles^ the Countefle of Glamorgan^ & 
 Lady Jones, How great a change for this 
 venerable Nobleman, who but a fliort time fince 
 did entertaine with princely Magnificence and 
 Loyaltie his Sovereign: and now both King 
 and Subjedb are Wanderers. Befide lofing his 
 Caftle, he is like enough to lofe large fummes 
 of Money which he hath lent the King: high 
 & low, Mifery is all over the Land. 
 
 The Earle oi EJfex died on the 14th. 
 
Lady Willoughby. 
 
 1646-7. 
 
 2 He Scots having received the 
 Summe of 200,000 pound, have 
 march'dout of Newcajiky leaving 
 the King to the Commiffioners 
 of Parliament y the Earles of Pembroke & Den- 
 bigh, and the Lord Montague^ and the Com- 
 miffioners of the Houfe of Commons. It tooke 
 26 Carts to carry the bags of Money to Torke^ 
 and fome fay it did take nine or ten dayes to 
 count the fame. 
 
 The poore King^ a Prifoner in his owne King- 
 dome, is now eftablifhed at Holmby Houfe^ and 
 hath expreffed his Satisfaftion with his Treat- 
 ment there and Accommodation, with one Ex- 
 ception, that he hath no Chaplaine, the which 
 he petitioneth for, but it is not thought fafe or 
 expedient, & they who have taken the ordering 
 of this Bufinefle have fent him Chaplaines of 
 
 125 
 
 1646-7. 
 
 'January 28, 
 Wednefday, 
 
 Feb. 19, 
 Friday* 
 
126 
 
 1646-7. 
 
 March 10, 
 . Friday. 
 
 May 12, 
 
 Wednejday. 
 
 May 14, 
 Friday, 
 
 From the Diary of 
 
 their owne Perfuafion, but the King will not 
 ii.1:en to them, neither will he permitt them to 
 fay Grace at his Table : Men fay he beareth 
 his Misfortunes, which truly are many, with 
 Dignity and CheerfullnefTe. 
 
 My deare Hujband hath much Turmoile in 
 the Houfe. The Earle of Warwick doth aime 
 to get the three Earles, Bedford^ Hollande^ and 
 Clare admitted: the which others would if 
 poflible prevent, and they talke of getting the 
 Commons to bring in an impeachment of the 
 Lord of Hollande^ on fome Affaire which my 
 Hujband calleth the Forreft-bufinefTe, of which 
 I know not : befide this he went over to the 
 other Party, notwithftanding that he had taken 
 the Oath. 
 
 The Lord Lijle hath beene removed from 
 the Government of Ireland: and like wife his 
 Brother Algernon Sydney from 'Dublin^ the latter 
 on the Motion of old Sir Henry Vane, This 
 fudden removal of his Sonnes will no doubt be 
 difpleafing to the Earle of Leicefter^ though he 
 keepeth himfelfe in much privacy at FenJIiurfly 
 and meddleth not in publick Bufinefle. 
 
 Yefter night did receive a Letter from my 
 Sifter Albinia^ wherein fhe doth expreffe much 
 tender Solicitude and AfFeftion. Let mee be 
 
Lady Willoughby. 
 
 duly thankfull for the Love of fo many deare 
 Friends. Children through mercle keepe well. 
 Have obferved with fatisfadion that Fanny hath 
 of late Ihewn more Denial of Selfe. This day 
 I did note an inftance, though In a fmall matter. 
 Alice had made two fhapely Pincufhions of 
 watchet coloured Brocade, & as is too much 
 her wont did give Fanny the one of mofl: curious 
 Device & Workmanfhip, who quickly per- 
 ceiving fome Difappointment to be felt by her 
 Sifter, with winning manner did prevaile upon 
 her to exchange Gifts. I did refraine from 
 beftowing Commendation, believing it to be 
 our Duty to leave undifturbed by humane 
 Praife, the appointed connexion of inward Peace 
 with the performance of Duty. By the con- 
 trarie pradtice we encourage the growth of that, 
 which hereafter we ftrive to up-root, the feeking 
 the Praife of Men rather than the Praife of 
 God. 
 
 On Saturday the 5th the Commons fate long, 
 and becaufe of the greatnefle of their Bufinefles 
 they refolved to fit even the next day (Sunday). 
 They did defire the Peers to do fo likewife, 
 which they, expeding fome great Matter, 
 agreed to do. Mr. Algernon Sydney did tell my 
 Hujband that when the Commons met, Mr. 
 
 127 
 
 1647. 
 
 June 10, 
 I'hurjday. 
 
128 
 
 1647. 
 
 June 24, 
 Thurjday, 
 
 June 25, 
 
 Friday. 
 
 From the Diary of 
 
 Mar/hall their famous Minifter did pray for 
 and with them, and that when he ended his 
 Prayer, the Commons defyred him to make a 
 repetition of his Sermon which he had preach'd 
 that day at Weftminjler, The fame being over, 
 the Commons rofe without doing any thing, 
 and without fending fo much as a word to 
 the Lords. 
 
 Much Difcontent rifing up : the Prejbyterian 
 Party have proclaimed the eftablifhment of 
 their Form of Worfhip to the exclufion of 
 every other. My Lord becometh more & more 
 diflatisfied with the Spirit of Bigotry which 
 has of late gathered fuch Strength, and the 
 Self-exaltation, as exclufive as that of Popery, 
 which they do condemn in others. This is moft 
 contrary to my deare Hufband's naturall dif- 
 pofition and former Principles. It is propofed 
 to reduce the Army, and fome Troops have 
 been difbanded. 
 
 The Army is greatly incenfed, and hath 
 broke up its Quarters at Nottinghame^ and 
 marched. People fay, upon London. Alas, muft 
 more blood be flied ? What will become of 
 this unhappy Countrey: no King, no Rulers, 
 and a large vidorious Army fet in oppofition 
 to the now feeble power of a mifguided and 
 
Lady Willoughby. 
 
 fanatic Houfe of Commons. And woe Is me, 
 the Hufband whom I love and honour, fo mixed 
 up with them that he muft abide by their ac5ls, 
 and ihare in them. 
 
 The Earle of Northumberland hath had 
 permiffion to take the King's Children to fee 
 their Father : coming to Caver/ham, we are 
 told a great number of People flocked thither 
 to fee them, & ftrewed the way with greene 
 branches and herbes. Poore Children, their piti- 
 full Condition moveth many hearts, & no mar- 
 veil ; many will in fecret rejoice that this drop of 
 comfort is permitted to the unhappy King. 
 
 The monthly Faft : met with the Remark 
 following, which feemeth much to the purpofe : 
 Let thy religious Faft he a voluntary Abftinence^ 
 not Jo much from Fle/h as Flejhly ^thoughts. 
 He faft s truly that alftains Jadly^ grieves really ^ 
 gives cheerefully^ and forgives charitably. 
 
 Alice becometh daily more infirme, and is 
 but little able to take any overfight : think to 
 place my own Waiting-woman more in charge, 
 after fhe hath given fome Inftrudlions to Patience^ 
 who is apt at her needle, and will fuit me well- 
 enough. 
 
 As I came up from the Dairie met the 
 Children full of Sorrow that a poore Partridge 
 
 129 
 
 1647. 
 
 June 28, 
 Monday, 
 
130 
 
 1647. 
 
 Aug. 3, 
 Tuefday. 
 
 Aug. 12, 
 Thurfday. 
 
 Aug. 14, 
 Saturday. 
 
 From the Diary of 
 
 had beene killed by a Scythe, whilfl: fitting on 
 her Neft: the Egges are put under a Hen, and 
 the Men think will be hatch'd in a few dayes. 
 
 Voted in the Houje that the Army fhould not 
 come within 40 Miles of London. 
 
 The Army, they fay, hath made St, Alharis 
 their Head-quarters, & have fent up to accufe 
 HolliSy Stapletony Maynard^ and others. 
 
 Great Tumults in London. The Speakers 
 of both Houfes and great part of the Members 
 have put themfelves under the Protedlion of 
 the Army. Sorely perplex'd, & know not 
 what is the meaning of thefe difturbances, or 
 what may befall my Hufband: the Children, 
 too young for care, are as happy as May- 
 queenes. 
 
 One Day cometh, and then another, and yet 
 no Tidings : this is hard to endure, ignorant 
 what may betide us in thefe evill Times. 
 
 Late to-night my deareft Life rode haftily 
 up : he was fafe for the prefent moment, & my 
 firft Feeling was of unmix'd Thankfullnefl!e to 
 Him who permitted us to meete once more. 
 After he had refted awhile, he entered into 
 fome Relation of the late Events in the Houfe. 
 He and many others have believed that the 
 Power of the Army endangered the libertie of 
 
Lady Willoughby. 
 
 the Countrey, and the Common Council of 
 London^ united with them, and met, and fent 
 a Letter to the Generall declaring their wifh 
 for Peace, and entreating that the Army might 
 not advance, nor intermeddle with the Rights 
 and Privileges of the City. The Train-bands 
 were ordered out. Some Members met in 
 either Houje^ but the Speakers came not : and 
 to my Lord's Amazement he was chofen 
 Speaker, pro tempore^ and Mr. Pelham of the 
 Commons. They proceeded to appoint a Com- 
 mittee of Safety : and the City iflued a Procla- 
 mation to the efFed that they defired a happy 
 and fpeedy Peace, by the Settlement of true 
 Religion, & the re-eftablijfhing his Majejly in 
 his juft Rights and Authority. But the Proceed- 
 ings of the Houfe were marked by uncertainty 
 and trepidation, & the day following, Fairfax 
 came up to Weftminfter attended by Cromwell 
 and regiments of Horfe and Foot. The 
 Generall on horfe-back with his Life-guard, 
 then the Speakers and Members of the Lords 
 and Commons in coaches, and another regiment 
 of Horfe brought up the rear. Mr. White- 
 lock writes, the Officers and Gentlemen, and 
 every Soldier had a branch of lawrel in his 
 hat. The Generall received the Thankes of 
 
 1647. 
 
132 
 
 1647. 
 
 From the Diary of 
 
 both HoufeSy and was made Lieutenant of 
 the Tower : & thus the Army aflerted its 
 Supremacy. 
 
 For a time the confideratlon of our private 
 Affaires was fet afide, in the momentous concerns 
 of this diftrafted Kingdome. Who will arife 
 with a ftrong minde & pure Heart, to bring 
 thefe ftruggles for Freedome, and thefe conflidl- 
 ing Opinions to a happy iflue ? There is one 
 my Hujhand fayes who lackes not the will to 
 become Leader, or peradventure the power : 
 but none have penetrated his heart, or know if 
 he may be trufted. I did once behold this 
 Cromwell^ who maketh fo many quail before 
 him, but methought his Looke was hard and 
 cunning, and I liked him not. And the King^ 
 deare Hujhand^ I afked, is he fafe, will he depart 
 the Countrey ? No Man knoweth, he reply'd : 
 he will not be permitted to leave the Countrey, 
 if Guards and ftrong Caftles can prevent. He 
 is fafe, fo far as concerns his Life : he may be 
 deprived of Power or even of his Crowne, but 
 on no Plea can they take his Life: and yet 
 who fhall fay where they will flop ? I would 
 lay downe my Life to know him to be fafe ; 
 we have fought and ftriven, and have fet a 
 Stone rolling that haply will crufh all that come 
 
Lady Willoughby. 
 
 In Its way, Laws, Parliament^ or even the King 
 himfelfe. My Hufband leant downe his Head 
 on the table, and hid his Face on his arme, and 
 fo remained overwhelmed by the profped: of 
 MIfery before us. I ventured not to fpeake : 
 It Is an awfuU thing to behold the Spirit of a 
 ftrong Man fhaken, and to hear Sobbes burft 
 forth from his over burthened Heart. At 
 length fuch violent Shivering feized him that 
 I fummoned Armjirong. We endeavoured to 
 perfuade him to drinke a little Wine, he tooke 
 fome, but begged for Water, his mouth was 
 fo parch'd: after fome time he went to bed, 
 and defired that Armftrong might fit up by 
 him during the firfl: part of the night, his owne 
 Man, having had poore reft of late : he feared 
 to affright mee by his uneafie fleepe. I layd 
 mee downe in the Nurferie, rifing oft to fee If 
 he flept : toward 3 of the clock he was more 
 quiet : and at 4 I fent Armftrong to bed, and 
 tooke his place by my poore Hufband. I 
 look'd on his altered Countenance, funk & 
 pale, the faire Brow wrinkled, and his long 
 black Haire now gray and diforder'd : a flight 
 quivering of his Lippes and unequall Breath- 
 ing betoken'd ftill uneafy reft : my Eyes grew 
 blinded with Teares, and I bent downe and 
 
 1647. 
 
134 
 
 1647. 
 
 From the Diary of 
 
 hid my face on the Pillow befide his. And 
 here to my furprife found I had dropt afleepe : 
 he feeming likely to remaine quiet, I arofe 
 foftly and ftepp'd into my Clofet, and there, 
 alone, endeavoured to compofe my Thoughts : 
 had he not been preferv'd in many Battles and 
 dangers, and fhould I now give up Faith in 
 the good Providence of Gody beleeving heartily 
 that we are fafer in his Hands than if we could 
 take the ordering of our Fate into our owne ? 
 I would faine have my deare Life depart hence 
 with fpeed, but untill he knoweth what Courfe 
 the Parliament will hold towards him, and thofe 
 with whom he hath aded, he is unwilling to 
 leave the Kingdome : he hath Enemys in the 
 Houfe of Commons^ but likewife good Friends, 
 & he doubteth not receiving timely Notice of 
 any meafure to his Hurt. It would ill befeem 
 his Wife to counfel flight, nor would I, how 
 great foever my Feares, if he could doe ought 
 for his King or Countrey by remaining : but 
 this Subjugation of the Parliament by the 
 Armie, will bring the Countrey under the 
 fierce and uncertaine Rule of the Souldiers 
 and their Commanders, and there is no party 
 to withfl:and them. I flrive to put from mee 
 the dreadfull Vifion of the Scaffold and the 
 
Lady Willoughby. 
 
 Block, which hath often vifited mee in the 
 night-watches when fuch danger exifted not, 
 but now may well fill my Soule with Terrour. 
 I will befeech him to pafTe over to Holland^ he 
 fayeth the worft will be Imprifonment in the 
 Tower : but how many are led therefrom 
 onely to their Death. 
 
 Word brought by a fure hand that it is order'd 
 by the Houfe of PeereSy that the Lords im- 
 peach'd by the Commons be brought up to 
 anfwer to the Impeachment. Friends of my 
 Hujband advife him to keepe out of the way 
 untill the prefent Heate & ftorme be a little 
 paft over: this Counfell but ill received by 
 him, and he is bent upon appearing. 
 
 -The King hath efcaped from Hampton Court : 
 the Report is, that he having retired to be 
 private, as hath been his cuftome a fhort fpace 
 before evening Prayers, and (laying fomewhat 
 longer than ufuall, it was taken notice of, and 
 not yet coming forth, fuddenly there were 
 Feares of the caufe hereof, which were encreaf'd 
 by the crying of a Dog within, he had latterly 
 kept conftantly with him a favourite Grey- 
 hound, often faying he did prefer them to 
 Spaniels, upon Search being made, it was 
 found the King had departed by a back Doore 
 
 ^35 
 
 1647. 
 
 Sept. II, 
 Saturday, 
 
 Nov. 13, 
 Saturday. 
 
136 
 
 1647. 
 
 From the Diary of 
 
 which ledde to the Garden. I do heartily hope 
 he may get away : methinks he will then ftand 
 in a more honourable pofition to make Termes 
 with his Parliament than when fhut up as a 
 Prifoner: and the People finding themfelves 
 without a King, perchance may wifh for him 
 back. It is currently believ'd that fome Officers 
 of the Armie did fecretly communicate with 
 the King^ and had Inftrudions from Generall 
 Cromwell himfelfe and others, that if he would 
 aflent to their Propofals, which were lower than 
 thofe of the Parliament ^ the Armie would fettle 
 him againe on the Throne : and it is thought 
 he was hereupon inclined in his owne Judge- 
 ment to enter into a Treaty with them, but 
 was difwaded by the Bifliops. Some are as 
 hotly againfl: Cromwell as againft the King : nay 
 fome goe fo farre as to fay he was in danger of 
 being fent to the Tower, had he not left London 
 before they were prepared. 
 
 Made the needfull preparations for my De- 
 parture : my ftay in London muft of neceffitie 
 bee uncertaine : wearied by much Toyle and 
 Care, but Duty clear, is a Help through diffi- 
 culties. The Morrow is a day of Reft, and 
 will bee a feafon of Comfort and renewed 
 Strength if ufed aright. 
 
Lady Willoughby. 
 
 This being a day whereon the Parliament 
 fate not, the Lord Gray and Henry Willoughby^ 
 a young Kinfman of my Hufband's, tooke 
 mee to fee fome Tapeftrie Hangings in the 
 Houfe of Peeres. A Portrait of Sir Ambroje 
 Willoughby is work'd therein, who was Uncle 
 to the late Lord, & Grandfather to Henry. 
 They did perfuade mee to be carried in a 
 Sedan-chaire : I was well pleafed to get out 
 againe, being much difcomfitted by the jolting. 
 After fome examination we difcovered the 
 Portraite, on the border under the Armes of 
 the Lord High Admiral : it is of oval ihape, 
 a Gorget of plate armour over his Doublet, 
 and a picked Beard and Muftachoe, like to 
 thofe now worne. He was in Command of a 
 Ship againfl: the Armada. I was faine to alke 
 whereabout my deare Hujband had heretofore 
 fate, but when the Thought arofe, that the 
 next time he would enter that Houfe it would 
 be as a prifoner to be tried by Men, many of 
 whom were his bitter Enemies, I could fcarce 
 raife my Voice : the Lord Gray fufpedling 
 wherefore I look'd around fo wiftfully, did 
 kindly point out the Place. 
 
 To-day my Hujband occupied himfelfe for 
 my fatisfadion in drawing up a Letter to the 
 
 37 
 
 1647. 
 
 Nov. 24, 
 IVedneJday, 
 
 Nov. 30, 
 Tuejdaj. 
 
138 
 
 1647. 
 
 Dec. 2, 
 
 Thurjday. 
 
 From the Diary of 
 
 Houfe of Lords y fomething to this efFed : beg- 
 ging their Lordfhips would be pleafed to order 
 his Enlargement, feeing that he had beene com- 
 mitted without any particular Charge againft 
 him : that he had received counfell of his 
 Friends that he is not fit for publick Employ- 
 ment, and was therefore refolv'd on Privacy : 
 that he had allwayes beene faithfuU to the 
 Parliament : and defired their Lordfhips to 
 make an honourable Conftru6lion of his Wiih 
 for Retirement. After all our Toyle, I much 
 feare he will not at prefent fend his Remon- 
 ftrance ; whenfoever fett free he would without 
 delay imbarke for Holland, He can no longer 
 a6l with the Parliamenty fince they will make 
 no Termes whatfoever with the King^ and he 
 is jealous that the Monarchy is in danger of 
 being wholly loft, and all Rank deftroyed. 
 
 Wente downe in a coach to the Parliament- 
 houfe, and fate therein the while Henry WiU 
 loughby did try to learne fome Newes. After 
 waiting more than an houre, the Lord Say came 
 out and inform'd mee a Meflage had beene fent 
 to them by the Commons that morning praying 
 for further Time to be allowed for bringing 
 up the Impeachment of the feven Lords, which 
 was granted. Hereupon I went backe to the 
 
Lady Willoughby. 
 
 ^ower to tell my Hujhand of this further Delay : 
 and it was agreed betweene us that it were well 
 I fhould returne to Parham forthwith : and as 
 MiftrefTe Gage did purpofe to fett forth early 
 in the forenoone to morrow, and would goe 
 by Hengravey & had offered to carry mee with 
 her in her coach, it feemed too favourable an 
 opportunitie to be miff'd, although it would 
 make my Departure fudden. Left the T^ower 
 before 8, the Snow lying thick upon the Street, 
 and with forrowfull Heart made Preparation 
 for fetting forth homewards. My deare Huj- 
 hand maketh light of his fituation, and ftrives 
 to cheere mee, and perfuade mee to take Hope 
 in the Exertions now making by a few faithfull 
 Friends of Influence in the Houje^ who promife 
 they will doe him what Service they can to 
 pacific his Adverfaries, who are the more fhatply 
 bent againfl him. The chearfull and compofed 
 Demeanour he did maintaine ferved for a time 
 to lighten my Forebodings, and the moment 
 of Parting came on a fudden, and I followed 
 the Guard downe the Staires and under the 
 Archway as in a Dreame : the Doore clofed 
 after mee : had I in truth left him, my dearefl 
 Life, in that dark Prifon-houfe there alone to 
 await his Sentence? I knowe not how I 
 
 1647. 
 
140 
 
 1647. 
 
 From the Diary of 
 
 reach'd my Lodging, fome kind Friend put 
 mee into a coach & fupported mee to my 
 chamber. 
 
 Nature would have her way for a time, but 
 the Lord fufFered mee not to be wholly caft 
 downe, and in fpreading my Sorrows before 
 Him, and committing my beloved Hujband to 
 His Keeping, who hath the power to fave even 
 to the uttermoft, I was ftrengthened, and did 
 endeavour to fubmit with patience to the prefent 
 Triall, though it is indeed heavy and grievous 
 to be borne. The night was cold, and my 
 condition forlorne and comfortlefle, but I laid 
 me downe on the bed in as much quietnefle of 
 fpirit as I well could, feeling that reft was 
 needed to encounter the morrow's Journey 
 from this weary Citie to returne to my poore 
 Children. Refledion on the Encouragement 
 given by divers kind and powerfull Friends 
 was very helpfull, and I flept. The time of 
 our Departure the next day was appoynted at 
 an early houre. 
 
Lady Willoughby. 
 
 1647-8. 
 
 O Tydings from London. Newes 
 of great Diforder and Tumult in 
 Canterbury. The Mayor endea- 
 vouring the execution of the Or- 
 dinance for abolifhing Holy-days, he was much 
 abufed by the People on Chriftmajfe-day^ they 
 beat him on the head, and dragg'd him up and 
 downe. The like Violence hath beene praftifed 
 at other Places, but none hereabout. Some 
 fewe People came into the Parke, and colle6ted 
 around the old Thorn, which hath many times 
 put forth a fewe Bloflbms on Chrijimaffe-evey 
 & which they looke upon as a Miracle, but 
 no perfon did moleft them. 
 
 The Children were abroad fo foone as the 
 Sunne rofe, and brought in Ivy and branches 
 of Holly, which they put about the Hall & 
 
 141 
 
 164.7-8. 
 
 Jan. 3> 
 Monday. 
 
142 
 
 164.7-8. 
 
 Jan. II, 
 
 Tuefday, 
 
 Jan. 29, 
 
 Saturday. 
 
 Feb. 20, 
 Monday. 
 
 From the Diary of 
 
 their Nurferiey as their pleafure is. They fet 
 up a great Shout when there was feene a fine 
 piece of Mifleltoe at the top of a Hamper con- 
 taining Apples, timely fent by their Uncle from 
 Gloucejier/hire. I could not beare to fadden 
 their Pleafure by the trouble of my owne 
 Heart, and they did fpend a right merrie 
 ChriJimaJ[e» Their Uncle William and his 
 Family ftaying with us. 
 
 It is well for mee the Children give mee full 
 Occupation : they take well to their learning, 
 and the Chaplaine faith Fanny maketh goode 
 progreffe in the Latine; but I find her fome- 
 what averfe to Needleworke, wherein her Sifter 
 Diana is more expert, as alfo in fome other 
 Matters which in my judgement are like to be 
 of more Service than a knowledge of Latine : 
 though where Nature hath given a Capacitie 
 for fuch ftudies, methinks we fliould err in not 
 providing Meanes of improving the fame : and 
 I doe already fee in Fanny an encreafe of 
 SteadinefTe at her tafkes, and exadlneffe in the 
 Performance of them. 
 
 Hear from Sir Harry Vane the charge againft 
 my Hujband pafT'd the Houfe on the 27 th, and 
 was ordered to be fent up to the Lords. 
 
 Armftrong returned yefternight from Aid- 
 
Lady Willoughby. 
 
 borough : no Veflell, it is fayd, will fail to Hol- 
 land from that Place or Tarmouth for fome 
 time. 
 
 My deare Life, Thanks be unto God^ is fafe, 
 his Letter is writ from the Hague: he hath 
 feene the Prince of Wales. 
 
 Deare Heart, 
 
 After a toylfome Paflage we landed at 
 Dort : methought the Voyage did too nearly 
 pidlure my troubled and uncertaine Life. I 
 am well in Health : the Packet came fafe to 
 hand, and I was right glad of the Paftie and 
 Wheaten-loaf, after having fpent the night 
 on deck, the Vidluals on board being ill to 
 eat. The Doublet worked by my fweete 
 Wife did greatly add to my Comfort, as did 
 divers other Matters lovingly remembered 
 by her for my ufe. Heretofore, though 
 often feparated, yet was I in the fame Coun- 
 trie that did containe my little Ones and her 
 who is my Soule's Joy and Confolation, the 
 trueft Friend and Counfellor that ever Man 
 had : now each wave carry'd me onward to 
 a ftrange Land, & never did Abfence appear 
 fo unfupportable. Kifle our deare Children 
 for me. Bid Armftrong be carefull to omit 
 
 143 
 
 1647-8. 
 
 March 6, 
 Monday, 
 
 A portion 
 of the letter 
 apparently 
 alluded to 
 by Lady Wil- 
 loughby. 
 
 Editor. 
 
144 
 
 1648. 
 
 From the Diary of 
 
 nought that I left in his Charge ; he would 
 doe well to fee Wingfield concerning the 
 gray Horfe, which fhould be cared for : my 
 Brother can ride Berwick. 
 
Lady Willoughby, 
 
 1648. 
 
 Ave receaved no further Newes 
 of my Lord fince I heard from 
 him that he was made Vice Ad- 
 mirall in the Duke of Torkes 
 Fleete. There is a report that the 'Duke has 
 faild for Holland. 
 
 A Friend doth write that a Letter from the 
 Prince of Wales to the Speaker of the Lords 
 has beene read in the Houfe, giving aflurance 
 that he will endevour his part with the King 
 for a good Settlement: Alfo he fpeakes of 
 divers marchant Veflels feized; one of thefe 
 Ships it was underftood was full of Gold, and 
 was captured by the Lord Willoughby, I 
 have this fatisfadtion in that as he doth hold 
 this publicke Station, fhould any great mif- 
 
 H5 
 
 1648. 
 
 Aug. 15, 
 Tuejday. 
 
 Aug. 16, 
 Wednejday. 
 
H 
 
 1648. 
 
 Aug. 19, 
 Saturday. 
 
 From the Diary of 
 
 chance befall him, notice would be taken 
 thereof. 
 
 Difcouraged under many difficulties, and in 
 an efpeciall manner tried by the ignorance in 
 which I am day unto day, of my deare HuJ- 
 hand's prefent fortune, be it ill or well ; pray 
 to be preferved in Faith : if not thus held up, 
 how ofte fhould I have beene difmayed and 
 funke beneath the weight of care and perplexitie. 
 
 This morning, as for feveral paft dayes, 
 awakened contrarie to my wont, with little 
 fenfe of Refrefhment or renewed Strength; 
 ufually the Night bringeth Reft to my wearied 
 frame and Sleepe to mine eyes. Care-charming 
 SleepCy fayth the Poet, Sweete Father of /oft 
 Refi^ as he hath it in another place ; but yefter 
 night Sleepe was troubled by the ReftleflhefTe 
 of waking Thoughts, like the fwell of the Ocean 
 after the Winds are ftilled : and fo the day, 
 commenced under this Depreffion of Spirit, 
 did feeme onely as another burden, an added 
 day of Tafke-worke to bee performed. Neither 
 received I the fweete renewal of Truft and 
 Hope from my Devotions, that is fo ofte 
 gracioufly permitted mee to enjoy ; neverthe- 
 lefle I was preferved from the prefumptuous 
 Sinne of repining. If for a time the light of 
 
Lady Willoughby. 
 
 His countenance is withdrawne, who am I, the 
 pooreft of His Creatures, that I fhould com- 
 plaine, if my path, when it feemeth to Him 
 good, fhould bee through the darke valley of 
 Humiliation ; fo I walked forrowfully on my 
 way, uncomforted from within or from with- 
 out ; thought on the text. In thy affii^ions He 
 is affli5ledy and the Angel of his Prefence/aveth 
 thee^ but this comfort feemed not intended for 
 mee. 
 
 Begin to doubt, that I have beene too readie 
 to bee fatisfied with myfelf, and to fay to my 
 foule Peace y peacey where there is no peace y and 
 have not beene fo contrite and broken under a 
 fenfe of Sinne ; and fo is it not unrepented Sinne 
 which doth ftand betweene mee and the light 
 of my Father's Countenance? Read the 51ft 
 PJalmy but ftill felt in Darknefle. 
 
 To night hath God fpoken to mee by the 
 voice of my little Child. It did chaunce that 
 late in the evening I had occafion to give fome 
 orders in the Nurferye, paffing by the bed I 
 ftooped to kifle my little Girle as I afked her, 
 had flie fayd her Prayers to Nurfe ? She an- 
 fwered. No, I fayd them to God. I told her 
 God will blefle little Children who pray to Him, 
 and he lookes downe and fees us all. Yes, 
 
 ^47 
 
 1648. 
 
 Aug. 22, 
 Tuefday, 
 
J 48 
 
 1648. 
 
 Aug. 25, 
 Friday. 
 
 From the Diary of 
 
 fhe anfwered, keeping the whiles faft hold on 
 my apron, God fees Father in the Ship a long 
 way oiF, and he fees me in Bed, and when I 
 feel affraid in the darke I fay, Pleafe God I am 
 a good little Child fometimes. Except ye become 
 as little Children ye cannot enter into the Kingdome 
 of Heaven, Lord, increcife my Faith. I believe y 
 helpe thou mine unbeleefe. Why art thou cafl 
 downe^ O my Soule^ and why art thou di/quieted 
 within mee ? hope thou in God. Chaftened but 
 not without Hope, I goe to my Bed and lay 
 mee downe in Peace, praying to become as a 
 little Child. 
 
 Much imprefled with a fenfe of the Divine 
 GodnefTe towards us, whileft fo many are in- 
 during all the dreadfuU Calamities of Warre 
 at their very doores, than which none have 
 beene brought to fuch a height of Suffering as 
 the poore befieged People at Colcheftery for 
 more than two moneths have they held out, 
 till it is fayd the Cries of the ftarving Women 
 and Children are very great; Numbers are 
 driven to the eating the flefh of Horfes and 
 Dogges ; and of this now there is little left. 
 One Woman got out of the Towne with her 
 Children to begge from the Parliament Armie, 
 and was driven backe. 
 
Lady Willoughby. 
 
 Now they fay many hundreds of Women 
 were let to come out of the Towne, and were 
 then fired upon by Col. Rain/borough both with 
 Cannon and Mufketts, according to fome not 
 loaded with fhot, yet would not the Towne let 
 them come backe : what did become of the 
 poore Creatures ? Well may Ordinances be 
 pafled for dayes of Publicke Humiliation to be- 
 waile the Sinnes of the Nation : yet to what 
 purpofe, when they goe on the more finning, 
 as if they beleeved they could faft and pray 
 away their Sinnes as eafily as wafli their hands. 
 Keepe backe thy Servant fromprefumptuous Sinnes, 
 
 Heare to day that Colchefter has furrendered ; 
 and that Sir George Lljle & Sir Charles Lucas 
 were fliot, to retaliate it is fayd the fame Cruel- 
 tie exercifed by them in like circumfliances. 
 
 Good old Dr. Samp/on called : he had heard 
 it was reported that the King had made his 
 Efcape from the IJle of Weight. 
 
 [49 
 
 1648. 
 
 Aug. 26, 
 Saturday. 
 
 Sept. I, 
 Friday. 
 
 Dec. 13, 
 Wednejday, 
 
5° 
 
 1648-9. 
 
 Feb. 3, 
 Saturday, 
 
 From the Diary of 
 
 1648-9. 
 
 Errour and amazement doe fill all 
 Men's minds, fo unheard of a 
 Crueltie did feeme impoflible, 
 even by the Kin^s bittereft 
 Enemies ; furely the Judgements of the Lord 
 will be drawn down upon this unhappie 
 Countrey. What further Suffering fhall bee, 
 wee know not, before the Nation is chaftifed 
 and purged from its Iniquities. Renewed caufe 
 of Thankfulneffe, that my beloved Hujband 
 did betimes withdraw himfelf from the Councels 
 of thefe Men : oft did he ufe to fay to mee, 
 they could on no pretence take the Kings Life, 
 how little can wee forefee whereunto men's 
 Paflion will lead them. 
 
 My poore Fanny can fcarce fleepe at nights, 
 fo befett is fliee with the Image of the mur- 
 
Lady Willoughby. 
 
 thered King : when the Newes were told of a 
 fudden, fhe nigh fainted. Die's Griefe hath 
 more of Indignation, and hardly can ftiee 
 refraine wifhing to heare of fome fignal Venge- 
 ance being taken. Gave orders that the Houfe- 
 hold fhould put afide and defifl: from their 
 feveral Occupations, that the remainder of the 
 Day might be kept with due Solemnitie be- 
 fitting the fad occafion: at Evening Service all 
 were fenfibly aifFeded, at the feafonable Exhorta- 
 tion of the Chaplaine on this awfull Event. 
 
 Heare with no fmall concernment that Coll. 
 Hutchinfon was one of thofe who did put their 
 Names to the Sentence given againft the King : 
 one of more honourable repute as a Chriftian 
 and Gentleman I never heard fpeake of: where- 
 fore it cannot be doubted but that he hath 
 beleeved himfelf called upon by his Confcience 
 to this Ad:, and I would alfo hope, others like- 
 wife have beene conftrained to join in it againft 
 their naturall feelings, but even Zeale in a good 
 caufe requireth to be kept downe by a fober 
 Judgement: fo long as the Flame burneth 
 Heaven-ward, it is a pure and fhining Light; 
 but turned Earth-ward, it becometh a fierce 
 and deftrudlive Fire. 
 
 Letter from my SiJ}er ; fhe fay th Proclama- 
 
 15^ 
 
 1648-9. 
 
 Feb. 13, 
 Tuejday. 
 
^52 
 
 1648-9 
 
 Feb. 14, 
 
 Wednejday. 
 
 March 15, 
 Tburjday. 
 
 From the Diary of 
 
 tion hath been made, that whofoever fhall 
 proclaime another to bee King^ Ihall be put to 
 death as a Traitour. 
 
 Fanny ^ who hath beene ailing of late, was 
 yefter night fo feaverifh that I gave her a 
 compofing Draught, and fhe keeps her bed 
 to day. 
 
 Fanny better ; think to give her a courfe of 
 Bitters : my M?M(?rdid much recommend them 
 taken fafting every Morning. 
 
 More Executions ; the three Lords have 
 beene beheaded : Lady Holland had ceafed not 
 importuning for the EarVs life, and buoyed 
 herfelf up with hope to the laft ; and when the 
 High Court granted a Reprieve for two dayes, 
 fhe and other Ladies and Relatives of the 
 Prifoners had great Expedlations there would 
 be a Pardon, and {o was it nearly carried in 
 the Houje : as the Speaker's was the cafting 
 Vote, and he gave it againfl: him ; he having 
 juft before by his Voice in favour of Lord 
 Goring faved that bad Man, in regard of fome 
 private Services hee had rendered to him : yet 
 did caufe the Death of one who, though he 
 might have done fome Wrong to his partie, 
 had ever beene a Friend to the Poore and to 
 thofe who were opprefled and perfecuted for 
 
Lady Willoughby. 
 
 their Religion, and who was civil and courteous 
 to all People. Some particulars were related 
 to mee, by one who is well acquainted with 
 one of my Lrd. Holland's Friends who did 
 accompanie him to the Scaffold. 
 
 Mr. Hodges had much difcourfe with him 
 after his Sentence, being defirous to comfort 
 him. He would not fee his Wife and Children, 
 faying it would adde too much to his Sorrow : 
 he was for a while In great Agonle of minde 
 In that he had not afTurance of Pardon for his 
 Sinnes ; but It pleafed God In his great Mercie 
 to raife him up out of this afBIded condition, 
 and after palling through a fevere conflld of 
 Spirit, he remained In a cheerefull frame of 
 Minde to the end. He flept foundly the night 
 before his Execution, infomuch he was with 
 fome difficulty awakened; he went to the 
 Scaffold without fhewing any Feare ; and 
 ftiewed himfelf to the People, who were moved 
 with forrow at the fight of him ; he tooke an 
 affedllonate leave of his Friends, and fo did 
 fubmit to be put to Death. 
 
 It Is to mee matter of Amazement as well 
 as of Sorrow, that Men pay fo fmall Regard 
 to the right every man hath to his owne Life, 
 which God hath given to him, and which Hee 
 
 153 
 
 1648-9. 
 
^54 
 
 1649. 
 
 March 30, 
 Friday. 
 
 April 17, 
 Tuejday. 
 
 From the Diary of 
 
 alone can take away. Vengeance is not for 
 Man, weake and erring ; the Promife is given 
 that Evil fliall be overcome of Good, not by- 
 Evil. 
 
 The Time feemeth very long before I can 
 with reafon exped: to heare from the Barbadoes. 
 The Dutch Marchant Ships, it is reported in 
 London y failed in February. 
 
 Fanny's Health improves. Since fhe hath 
 had charge of the Still-room, (he hath taken a 
 pleafure in the Cultivation of the Plants, and 
 hath enlarged the Herbe Garden. The Laven- 
 der flippes have ftrucke roote, and fhe hath 
 good ftocke of Clove Gilloflowers ; a Neigh- 
 bour hath promifed her an excellent Recipe 
 for making a Conferve of thefe, obtained as a 
 favour from Mr. Gerard^ the Chirurgian and 
 Botanift, who fayth of it, that it is exceed- 
 ing cordiall and wonderfully above meafure 
 doth comfort the Heart, being eaten now and 
 then. 
 
 Her liking for Reading did lead to her over 
 much Studie ; I do blame myfelf for not giving 
 more heed to the effed upon her Health : it 
 feems that her Sifter was more fenfible in this 
 matter, and did often indeavour to perfwade 
 her to leave her Bookes. In fmall things as 
 
Lady Willoughby. 
 
 in greater^ fo true is it that the right is a ftraight 
 and narrow way. 
 
 Our Nephews William and Henry flaying 
 with us, good Laddes in the maine ; and wee 
 do expeft a Vifite fhortly from my deare Coufin 
 Margaret de la Fontaine: wee have not mett 
 fince her Marriage. 
 
 Receipe. The flowers of Lavender picked 
 from the knaps, I meane the blew part and 
 not the hufke, mixed with Cinnamon, Nuttmeg, 
 and Cloves, made into Pouder and given to 
 drinke in the diflilled Water thereof, prevaileth 
 againfl Giddinefle. Conferve of the Flowers 
 made with fugar. 
 
 This Recipe given to mee by Mr. Gerard's 
 Aunte. 
 
 Mr. Gerard doth recommend for a Cold 
 and Cough, or fore Throate, a Decodlion of 
 Hyflbpe, made with Figges added; or Figges 
 boiled, and Honie and Rue added thereto. 
 
 155 
 
 1649. 
 
 April 18, 
 Wednejday* 
 
 April 20, 
 Friday, 
 
156 
 
 1651. 
 
 May 24, 
 Saturday, 
 
 From the Diary of 
 
 1651, 
 
 His our Wedding day : a fweete 
 morning ; rofe early : firfl: 
 Thoughts faddened by the ab- 
 fence of him, who is indeed firfl: 
 in my Hearte, but not here to give the wel- 
 comings of Love fo precious to mee ; fo fweet 
 to receive and lay up with recolledions of other 
 like Endearments to live upon in Abfence, 
 preferved, as fome one faith, in the Memorie 
 as in a Cabinet richly fl:ored, garnered in Faith, 
 and fafely locked with the Key of a loving 
 Confl:ancie: and truly can I fay, no Mifl:rufl: 
 hath ever fallen upon our deare AfFedion 
 for each other. Although in looking backe 
 through thefe fixteene Yeares now pafl:, to the 
 early part of my wedded Life, I do perceave 
 that there was on my part fome Confl:raint and 
 
Lady Willoughby. 
 
 an over feare of difpleafing, and haply fome 
 Perverfitie of Temper, that made fome things 
 appeare as Unkindnefles that were not fo in- 
 tended ; yet was it I truly beleeve more through 
 Ignorance and the newnefle of my Situation. 
 My deare Mother had exercifed fuch a tender 
 Care over me, that like a timid bird no more 
 fheltered by the parent Wing from the rough 
 Winds and pitileffe Storme, I was affrighted, 
 and oft times would faine have returned to the 
 Arke. But the olive Branch appeared above 
 thefe darke Waters, and was found to be a fure 
 Refting Place for the fole of my Foot, and its 
 roots were firmely fixed, and it hath flood 
 firme. Wee have need of two faiths, faith in 
 humane AfFedtion, and the higher faith, in 
 Divine Wifdome and Love : Lord^ I beleeve y 
 help ^hou mine unheleefe^ is the earneft fuppli- 
 cation of my Hearte. Oh if wee were conftant 
 in this praier, how manie feeble Knees would 
 be ftrengthed, how many hard and rebellious 
 Thoughts be kept downe. 
 
 Sixteene yeares ago, I do well remember 
 the morning was like this : the Sunne fhone 
 brightly, and my Sifters did thinke mee happie 
 to be the choice of the brave Lord Willoughby; 
 his comelinefTe and youth made him to bee 
 
 1651. 
 
158 
 
 1651. 
 
 From the Diary of 
 
 greatly admired by them, as hee was by manie 
 others. Since that day how much hath come 
 to pafle : Trouble and Difficulties to overcome 
 not a few : then my firfl: Child borne, bringing 
 new hope and a Joy unfpeakable; but the 
 fweete Bloflbme was early nipped, and the cup 
 of joy daflied from my lippes: Oh Gody thou 
 knowefl: what I fufFered, that my Faith was 
 tried to the uttermoft, and for a while failed ; 
 but Thy Mercie and Truth failed not : Other 
 Children were given to us, lent and gracioufly 
 fpared : My deare and excellent Mother tooke 
 her peacefull departure; this a Sorrow, but 
 not a Sorrow without Hope, no Bitternefle was 
 in it ; her Worke was ended, and I had no wifh 
 to keepe her from her Reft. Precious Mother I 
 I humbly hope I have not been infenfible of 
 my privileges : I think I may fay that under 
 a fenfe of my owne favoured Lot in this refped:, 
 I have alwayes felt much tender Solicitude for 
 fuch as are early deprived of maternal Care, 
 whether knowne or unknowne to mee. 
 
 During this long period I have had the 
 Happinefle of feeing my beloved Hujhand 
 zealous and adlive for the Publicke Good, and 
 protedted through many Dangers ; and though 
 very frequent have beene our Separations, and 
 
Lady Willoughby. 
 
 this laft the moft diftant and perillous; yet 
 have they beene mercifully permitted to his 
 greater Safety. Thus in cafting this backward 
 looke over paft yeares, I am led to acknowledge 
 with Thankfulnefle the gracious dealings of 
 our Heavenly Father to us, and efpecially would 
 I note my Hujband's timely Withdrawal from 
 a party of Men who have fallen into the Snare 
 fpread by worldly Pride and Ambition, and 
 in the end brought about the Death of the 
 King. 
 
 Oft have I beene caft downe as the SInne 
 and Suffering, that doe fo fearefully abound, 
 were from time to time brought before mee ; 
 but ftrength hath beene given mee to endure, 
 and praife be unto Him who hath vouchfafed 
 a meafure of Faith, whereby the difcipline of 
 Life is now viewed in a more cheereful fpirit, 
 and its burdens and imperfedllons borne with 
 leffe of Impatience as Yeares do encreafe, and 
 I am able more entirely to acknowledge that the 
 Judgements of the Lord are true and righteous 
 altogether : and If fo in mine owne experience, 
 may I not truft that in Publicke Affaires in 
 like manner, Man's doings are working out 
 the purpofes of the Lord of Lords and King of 
 Kings; that the Nation, when it fhall have 
 
 1651. 
 
i6o 
 
 1651. 
 
 July 4, 
 
 Friday, 
 
 July 7, 
 Monday. 
 
 From the Diary of 
 
 pafled through this Fire of tribulation and 
 anguifh, fhall rife up in a newe and righteous 
 Libertie, and bee at Peace. 
 
 But little to add this evening to the fore- 
 going : after fervent Supplication for my deare 
 abfent Love, went downe flairs and was met 
 by the deare Children, each of them with a 
 Pofie of flowers, Cowflips, Primrofes, and 
 Hawthorne ; and Fanny had gathered fome of 
 more raritie from her garden. Die was eager 
 to know the number of Yeares we have been 
 maried, that fhe might give direftions for the 
 fame number of Pies to be made, according to 
 the cuftome in thefe Parts, that there fhould 
 be fet on the Table a Pie for every Yeare that 
 a couple have beene maried, and fhe and her 
 Sifler ranne away to order 16 Pies : They are 
 kindly hearted and gladfome creatures, and 
 mofl dutifuU and comforting Children. 
 
 Received tidings that the Ship in which my 
 Hujband did faile, hath reached Barbadoes. 
 Thankes be unto the Lord who hath brought 
 them unto their defired Haven. 
 
 The deare Letter yeflernight hath filled my 
 Hearte with Joy and ThankfulnefTe. 
 
Lady Willoughby. 
 
 Moft Deare Wife, 
 
 Wee came to anchor in Carlijle Bay, in 
 fomewhat more than two moneths after we 
 left Holland, We fell fhort of Water, 
 having but halfe a Barrel when wee came 
 in fight of Land, and were ftill worfe oiF,for 
 Forrage, and were forced to take the Straw 
 out of the men's cabines, and mix it with 
 fhavings of Deale boards to give the Horfes 
 to eate. We kept ourfelves concealed fome 
 dayes, confidering it the more prudent, till 
 we had all in readinefl^e. Wee then appeared 
 in good force and proclaimed the King. 
 Numbers joined us, and my Commiflion 
 met with due refpedr. I fend this Letter by 
 the Matter of a Ship failing to London. 
 Sweete Life and my deare Children, may it 
 fare well with you. During the wearifome 
 Voyage, plans did fuggeft themfelves of 
 your joining mee here, but I knowe not how 
 you would endure the hardfhip and dangers 
 of the Paflage. The Climate of this Ifland 
 is not fo unhealthy as in fome others. I 
 hope Parliament will not withdraw the 
 Graunt, it would caufe greate trouble with 
 thofe who accepted it in Settlement of De- 
 mands againfl: mee, and might put my deare 
 
 i6i 
 
 1651. 
 
 Letter o 
 
 Lord 
 JVilhughby, 
 March 24, 
 
 1650. 
 
 M 
 
l62 
 
 1651. 
 
 July II, 
 Friday. 
 
 Sept. 7, 
 Sunday. 
 
 From the Diary of 
 
 Hearte to inconvenient Straites for Money. 
 Wee are like to have unfriends in both 
 Houfes ; it may not bee fafe to fay more. 
 Give mee whatfoever Newes of the King can 
 be depended on. I cannot beleeve the pre- 
 fent ftate of Affaires will laft long. The heate 
 is greate, neverthelefle my Health is good, in 
 the which I do heartily rejoyce, knowing there 
 is One who will be much comforted herein, 
 Whofe I am in all 
 
 faithfull AfFedion, 
 
 Willoughby . 
 
 It is reported, and I feare mee truely, that 
 Sir George JJkew hath fet faile for Barbadoes^ 
 to take that Ifland and others thereabout from 
 the King's Friends. How may I endure the 
 thought that again my beloved Hufband's Life 
 is expofed to all the dangers and fufferings of 
 Warfare, and this at fo great diftance, that 
 for Moneths I ihall be in ignorance whether he 
 yet live. I thought it well hee (hould be out 
 of this poore Countrey, full of ftrife and blood- 
 flied, but the dangers of Warre are every 
 where. 
 
 Word brought of a Fight at Worcefter^ and 
 fome fay the Prince is flaine. 
 
hady Willoughby. 
 
 The rumours that the Prince of JVales^ or 
 more rightly the King^ was flaine after the 
 Battaile, not true, though he was wounded in 
 the Hand. He fled from Worcejier^ and it is 
 hoped he hath efcaped from his cruell Enemies, 
 as no one knows where he is. A Meflenger 
 kindly fent by Mr. Tobias Bridge^ who fetts 
 out for London to morrow, and hath engaged 
 to fend to my Hufband a Letter thro' a fafe 
 channel by meanes of a Friend of his, a con- 
 fiderable Marchant in the Citie^ who hath un- 
 dertaken this out of regard to the Lord 
 Willoughby^ who did fhew fome kindnefTe to a 
 neare Kinfman of his at the Siege of Newark^ 
 which he hath not forgotten. Have writt to 
 my Hufband in fuch termes as I thought mofl: 
 like to have weight with him that he would 
 yeeld up the Place ; telling him, that the mofl: 
 zealous Friends of the King do now give up 
 all hope ; that his Wife and Children wearie 
 of his abfence, and are kept in continual Feare 
 for him ; and that as I never had wiflied to 
 hold him backe from what he judged to bee 
 his duty, fo now hee might beleeve that I would 
 not urge him to a courfe diflionourable, or that 
 would injure others. Likewife I added that 
 all his Friends did agree with me in this opinion. 
 
 163 
 
 1651. 
 
 Sept. 10. 
 Wednefday. 
 
164 
 
 I65I. 
 
 Oftober 31, 
 Friday. 
 
 From the Diary of 
 
 Eafier in mind having taken this fteppe, fb 
 much more hopeful to the Spirit is aftion, let 
 the thing done towards the defired end be ever 
 fo fmall or by ever fo weake a hand, than to 
 remaine, as my lot hath moftly beene, unable 
 to do ought ; not even to holde a cup of water 
 to the lippes of him who while I write thefe 
 Wordes may be lying wounded or dying. 
 
 In a Letter from my Sifter fhe fayth, one 
 told her who was prefent in the Houfe when 
 Letters were received from Paris containing 
 divers curious Particulars of the King's Adven- 
 tures and Efcape. Hee and my Lord Wilmot 
 were fo fore pufhed that on the fecond day's 
 march from Worfter they betooke themfelves 
 into the Woods, and did fleepe two nights in 
 a Tree, and whileft there fome Souldiers came 
 clofe by, but faw them not. Hee had other 
 marvellous Efcapes ; and owed his Safetie to a 
 Gentlewoman who difguifed him ; fhe cut oiF 
 his Haire, and put Serving Man's clothes on 
 him, and a Perriwig (hereat, as this curious 
 hiftorie was read aloud, fome of the Members 
 refrained not from laughing), he was mounted 
 on a Horfe, and fhe did ride behind him on a 
 Pillion. That which does feeme moft wonder- 
 full, the King was in London ^ and walked about 
 
Lady Willoughby. 
 
 drefled in a Gentleman^s habite, and did even 
 look into TVeftminfter Hall, The Lord Wilmot 
 at length did procure a Marchant Ship ; and 
 the King followed him into a Houfe, when to 
 their great terrour the Matter of the VefTel 
 came to them and fayd he knew the King. 
 They prevailed with Money and Promifes, and 
 failed for Harvre de Gras. This Relation did 
 feeme fo full of wonder and mercy towards the 
 poore young King, who doubtlefle would have 
 beene flaine had he beene taken, that I have 
 thought it well to copie the fame from my 
 Sifter's Letter. 
 
 Death of Colonel Irelon is much lamented : 
 he did compaffionate the deplorable condition 
 and miferies of the People of Ireland; and in 
 this barbarous Warfare {hewed more Mercie 
 than fome others. 
 
 165 
 
 1651. 
 
 Dec. II, 
 
 Thurfday. 
 
i66 
 
 1 65 1-2 
 
 January 6, 
 Tuejday. 
 
 Feb. 21, 
 Saturday. 
 
 From the Diary of 
 
 1651-2. 
 
 Ewes fent mee that Letters have 
 beene received by the Houje that 
 Sir George AJcue had reduced the 
 Barbadoes : and like wife there was 
 read a Copie of an A61 of the Lord Willoughhy 
 and the Aflembly, for fequeftring Eftates. 
 This will, I feare mee, inflame people's mindes 
 the more againfl: him. 
 
 My Lord Say and Seale hath fent mee fuch 
 particulars as have come to hand. Sir George 
 had taken many Ships, and fired at the Caftell ; 
 and they in the Cafl:ell fhot at him and killed 
 one man. Then he fent a Summons to the 
 Lord Willoughhy^ who made anfwer that hee 
 would keepe the place for the King^ who he 
 was informed was neare London^ and that all 
 the Countrey came in to him : this it is fuppofed 
 he had beene told by the 'Dutch, Offers were 
 
Lady Willoughby. 
 
 made of Indemnitie, and great perfuafion ufed 
 to bring over the People to the Parliament. 
 It was expedled that Sir George A/cue would 
 waite fome dayes, in the hope that the IJland 
 would furrender, before he attempted to land 
 his Forces. 
 
 Alas ! I know its brave Governour too well 
 to doubt what courfe hee will take. May the 
 Lord have mercie upon us, nothing is there for 
 mee to doe but to keepe neare to the everlafting 
 Arme that can fupport the weakefl: of his crea- 
 tures, and fave in the midft of the greateft 
 Dangers. 
 
 Mifs the faithfull overfight of Alice^ tho' of 
 late (he had beene too infirme to do much. My 
 Brother William and his Familie make us a large 
 Houfehold : and to keepe a well ordered and 
 well provided Houfe is no fmall charge. Since 
 my Brother compounds for the Eftates, I am 
 releeved from fome perplexitie. Poore old 
 Alice^ her Death was timely, had fhe lived to 
 heare of the Execution of the King^ it would 
 have gone farre to breake her hearte. 
 
 "The Diurnal doth containe the report that 
 Sir George A/cue hath taken Barbadoes. 
 
 Eclipfe of the Sunne : many have been 
 infefted with feare of fome greate Calamitie or 
 
 167 
 
 i65i-z. 
 
 March 25, 
 Thurjday. 
 
 March 27, 
 Saturday. 
 
 March 29 , 
 Monday. 
 
i68 
 
 1652. 
 
 From the Diary of 
 
 DIfturbance to happen at this time, and would 
 not goe out to their Worke, or leave their 
 Houfes : the darknefs was fo great one could 
 not fee to reade a booke without the light of 
 a Candle. 
 
 No Tydings of my deare Hujband: and my 
 very Soule is ficke with waiting and liftening 
 to catch the lighteft Rumour. 
 
 My Friends have fent mee all the Informa- 
 tion they could obtaine; and my hearte is 
 bowed downe with ThankfulneiTe for the merci- 
 full and wonderfullPrefervation of that precious 
 Life^ the objedt of daily prayer and fupplication. 
 It doth appeare that my Lord did refufe to 
 ; fubmit to the Summons of Surrender thrice 
 I demanded by Sir George AJcue^ who thereupon 
 did land fome Troopes : the Lord Willoughhy 
 made a gallant Defence, but by reafon of the 
 Darknefle, they thought the Enemie were in 
 j number more than they were, and the Seamen 
 j running up with great fhouts, they were fo 
 ; amazed they gave way : the Parliament Forces 
 purfuedthemtoi^^r/ Royaly which they ftormed, 
 and were joined by Colonel Muddiford and his 
 Friends ; following this Example, they did 
 engage to live or die with the Parliament. 
 The Lord Willoughhy finding this, marched 
 
Lady Willoughby. 
 
 up to them with all the Force he could make ; 
 and whileft that he held a Councell of Warre, 
 one of the Enemies great Gunnes fhot in at 
 the doore and carried away the Sentinell's head. 
 A Treatie has beene concluded. Protection 
 being granted to the Lord Willoughby ^ Colonel 
 Walrund^ and divers others for the keeping 
 their Eftates in England or elfewhere. Surely 
 I may hope to have a Letter fhortly. Chofe 
 out for my portion of Scripture the 103d 
 Pfalm. What fhall I render to the Lord for 
 all his benefits, this crowning Mercie wherewith 
 he hath blefled mee ? 
 
 To-day I had the great happinefle of a 
 Letter. My deare Hujband beareth bravely 
 his ill Fortunes : he was entreated very courte- 
 oufly by Sir George, My Lord doth purpofe 
 returning by one of his owne Veflels, having 
 Sufinefle to fettle in Surinam^ and in Antigua, 
 
 Wingfield tells mee he has had fome Newes 
 of the Horfe that was ftolen laft weeke, and 
 would go to Ipjwich to-morrow, that being 
 Market day ; told him not to be fparing of 
 Reward on this occafion, I would 111 like him 
 to be loft : Bade Wing field fee at the Weavers 
 when the Linnen would be readie, alfo if the 
 Flax was arrived. 
 
 169 
 
 1652. 
 
 April 8, 
 Thurjday, 
 
 April 9, 
 Friday, 
 
iJO 
 
 1652. 
 
 May 5, 
 
 Wednejday. 
 
 From the Diary of 
 
 The Packman Is long in coming his rounds, 
 and my waiting woman is alarmed that her 
 ftores of houfewiferie will fcarce hold out ; 
 and Fanny is like to want imbroidery Silks, 
 and doth watch his coming with impatience, 
 as fometimes he doth bring of Bookes a few 
 fortes, and Ballads, which fhe doth eagerly 
 catch up ; & he had entered into fome promife 
 of bringing for her a booke of Poems by a 
 Mr. John Milton^ one that keepes a Schoole 
 at London^ the fame it is fayd, who did write 
 the Image Breaker^ a Booke that did excite the 
 Indignation of manie ; that a man of parts and 
 learning fhoulddefire to injure the memorieof 
 one not onely a Martyr, but who had manie 
 rare qualities, and was our anointed King^ albeit 
 in that capacitie he did fome great Wrongs. 
 The worke was little read, the while the fubjedt 
 of his attack, the Eikon Baftlike^ did excite in 
 people fuch true Sympathie, that it was read 
 with Teares. A Friend did procure one for j 
 mee, which not onely doth ferve to cherifh a ! 
 forrowful remembrance of the heavy Trial 
 and the Griefes of his late Majefty^ but by the 
 pietie and meeknefle of the feveral Meditations, 
 doth greatly tend to Edification and Improve- 
 ment. 
 
Lady Willoughby. 
 
 No Tydings of the old Horfe to be heard 
 at Ipfwich : Wingfield and one of the men are 
 gone in another direcfllon, fome miles on 
 the Loweftoffe Road. 
 
 The men returned -this forenoon after two 
 Dayes abfence, bringing with them the poore 
 Animal, jaded and half ftarved ; hope he will 
 looke in better condition before my Lord's 
 return. A Man living at Saxmundhamy who 
 had ferved in one of his Regiments, had feene 
 the Horfe go through the Village, and knew 
 it againe, and by this Clue they traced him. 
 
 Lizzy hath finifhed her Sampler ; her Sifter 
 T>ie hath much credit for the fame, for the 
 Patience with which fhee hath taught her this, 
 and other Needle-worke. 
 
 Reading our ufual portion of Holy Scripture 
 this morning, after fome Remarks thereon, I 
 felt encouraged to fay a few wordes to my 
 Daughter Fanny, Shee hath lefle of felf-will 
 and heate of temper needing reftraint and 
 watchfulnefle than her elder Sifter^ but falleth 
 into Errour of another forte, feeming too well 
 inclined to take her eafe, and fheweth an in- 
 dijfFerency to fuch Purfuits as fuite not her 
 Fancie, yet which are of good account and 
 Service in a Familie. Efpecially fhe hath of 
 
 171 
 
 1652. 
 
 May 7, 
 Friday. 
 
 May II, 
 
 Tuejday. 
 
 May 12, 
 
 Wednejday. 
 
[72 
 
 1652. 
 
 From the Diary of 
 
 late againe addidted herfelf over-much to her 
 Bookes, which, if not to the hurt of her Health 
 as formerly was the cafe, caufeth her to bee fo 
 enrapt in them, and in the indulgence of her 
 own Imaginations, that fhe negledleth thofe 
 fmall occafions wherein fhe might bee of Ufe 
 or Pleafure to others, and at the fame time 
 fecure Benefite to herfelf by being drawne into 
 little a(5ls of Courtefie and Kindnefle, which 
 doe keepe alive and enlarge the kindly Difpo- 
 fitions of our nature, and doubtleffe are foe 
 intended by Him who hath planted mankind 
 in Families. She did receeve with meekenefle 
 this Reproof, acknowledging her fometime 
 Negligence, and her Temptation to the un- 
 profitable fpending of her Time in fome par- 
 ticulars, and did confeffe that haply her Affec- 
 tions had beene too highly fett on works of 
 the Fancy and Imagination ; although fhee 
 fayd, they were fuch as for the moft part did 
 containe manie pious and vertuous Meditations, 
 and added with modefty, that fhe believed the 
 Minde was elevated and refreftied by drinking 
 at thefe Fountaines. The while ftie fpoke, 
 raifing timidly her eyes & blufhing, as fhe 
 pleaded for fome Poets above others, more 
 efpecially Mr. Edmund Spenfery one who hath 
 
Lady Willoughby. 
 
 indeed tuned his Lyre to the utterance of moft 
 fweet Truths and deepe Philofophie, fhe feemed 
 not unaptly defcribed in his own Wordes : 
 
 Ne in her Speech^ ne in her 'Havioury 
 Was lightnejfejeene^ or looje Vainitie^ 
 But gracious Womanhood and Gravitie 
 Above the reajon of her youthly yeares. 
 
 I can truly fay it is my defire, not through 
 an over-ftridnefTe or mifconftrudion to narrow 
 the benevolent defigns of the Creator toward 
 his Creatures ; hee, with bountifull Hand hath 
 adorned the Heaven and the Earth with beautie, 
 and if he hath in a peculiar manner fitted fome 
 Mindes to tafte hereof^ and to approach him 
 by thefe ways of PleafantnefTe & Peace, doubt- 
 lefle it may bee to the attainment of the higheft 
 Wifdome. Yet, like all things elfe in this 
 World, hath it not its peculiar temptations, 
 this keene Senfe of the BeautifuU and aptitude 
 in the difcernment thereof? doth it not fome- 
 times lead to a turning away from the rigid 
 afpedl of Dutie, and minifter to felf-gratification 
 under a faire difguifement, which maketh it 
 unfufpefted of evill. The Eeautifull Gate of 
 the Temple inviteth us to enter, but if fo be 
 
 1652. 
 
^74 
 
 1652. 
 
 May 15, 
 Saturday. 
 
 May 28, 
 
 Friday. 
 
 From the Diary of 
 
 wee remaine at the portall, we prophane its 
 facred purpofe. 
 
 Once more the Toet cometh to my aide. 
 
 T^he meanes therefore which unto us is lent 
 Him to behold^ is on his Workes to looke^ 
 Which hee hath made in beautie excellent; 
 And in the fame ^ as in a Brazen Booke^ 
 'To reade inregiftered in every moke 
 
 His Goodne/Sy which His Beautie doth declare^ 
 For all thafs goody is beautiful and f aire. 
 
 Through whatfoever ways we are led, how 
 various foever may bee our Gifts, there is but 
 one end, that we may all be brought to fee the 
 Beautie of HolinefTe, to perceave the Harmonic 
 that doth.exift in the morall government of 
 Gody as in the vifible wonders and beauties of 
 Creation, and fo come to worJfhip Him in 
 Spirit and in Truth. 
 
 There is like to be a poore Hay harveft, no 
 Raine as yet; this long drought is a great 
 concerne to Fan. Some of the Seeds flie hath 
 fowne, fcarce to be feene ; what is more ferious, 
 fodder for the cattell is difficult to be had. 
 
 Great tempefts during the Weeke ; raine and 
 winde, and lightening ; the Thunder ceafed 
 
Lady Willoughby. 
 
 not for houres together. About London it is 
 faid there were Haile ftones which did meafure 
 fome inches round, and fome of fingular fhape. 
 Much Glafle hath been broken. 
 
 Went to fee Cicely ^ fliee and her Children 
 are bravely. She had beene to Langhanty neare 
 unto Colchefter^ to vifite her hufband's Mother, 
 whom fhe did find in a diftreflefull ftate ; her 
 Sonne not well of his wounds, and fhee, every 
 time flie drefleth his arme, hearte-broken to 
 thinke that hand had given his Brother his 
 death ftroke. He knew not who it was, till 
 he got fight of his face as he dropped ; and 
 as he fell on his knees befide him, he received 
 a Blow on his head, which fl:unned him. This 
 chanced well for him, as he thereby could re- 
 maine, he dragged the Bodie of his Brother to 
 the fide of a Hedge, and then as he did paffion- 
 ately bewaile his Death, and kifled the bleeding 
 Face, he found Life not utterly departed, and 
 ran fome diftance to a Ditch where was water, 
 and pouring it into the Laddes mouth, for it 
 was his youngeft Brother ^ and very deare unto 
 him, he opened his Eyes, and feemed to know 
 him, but was paft Speech, and could onely 
 draw him clofer, and fo died. All the Coun- 
 trey round there was Want and Sicknefie, the 
 
 ^1^ 
 
 1652. 
 
 May 31, 
 
 Monday. 
 
176 
 
 1652. 
 
 July 10. 
 Saturday. 
 
 From the Diary of 
 
 Grant from the Parliament is a feafonable help ; 
 but it mendeth not broken bones, nor bringeth 
 backe Sonnes and Hufbands to Life. 
 
 For fome Weekes I have not left my 
 Chamber, and have beene confined to my Bed 
 the greater part of that time, having beene 
 feifed of a fudden Sicknefle ; at leaft fo it did 
 then appeare, though continuall haraflment & 
 fufpence had brought mee into a v^eakely ftate 
 for fome time paft. It happened that fome 
 Noife, and the found of unaccuftomed Voices 
 in the Hall, did ftartle mee for a moment with 
 the notion that my deare Hufhand had come 
 into the Houfe : I hafted downe ftaires, and 
 fome great Packages ftrucke my Sight, and 
 did the more confirme my Hopes, but it proved 
 only to bee fome goods fhipp'd from London^ 
 which had come there by a Marchant Ship from 
 Barbadoes. As I turned backe, the fhocke of 
 the Difappointment following quicke on the 
 Joy that had feemed fo neare, overcame mee, 
 and my Limbes trembled under mee, and I 
 fcarce could reach my Roome, and that night 
 a Feaver came on, with fuch violent Shiverings 
 that I greatly feared it was the Ague. For 
 many Weekes tooke no nourifhment but Sage 
 pofTets, my drinke Whey. Still but poorly. 
 
Lady Willoughby. 
 
 My deare Children have beene tender Nurfes, 
 and, when I began to recover, yet remaining 
 weake, fo that I moftly could beare but one 
 Perfon at a time, I had oftentimes fweet con- 
 verfe with Each, and miniftred to the feverall 
 wants of their Charafters, as I was favoured 
 with Help fo to do ; endeavouring to imprefs 
 upon them Faithfulnefle to their Convidlions, 
 whether in fmall things or greate, as the only 
 way to obtaine true Peace. 
 
 Alfo hath it beene a feafon of Self-examina- 
 tion, and deepe fearching of Hearte ; and my 
 Birthday happening when I was thus layd low, 
 I endeavoured to pafle it profitably, and to 
 queftion myfelf if, as I approched nearer and 
 nearer to the Grave, I was the nearer Heaven. 
 Selfe feemed the great Hinderance in the way 
 of improvement. It is a hidden Idolatrie and 
 often unfufpedled. Is it not Selfe that prevents 
 our eye beeing fingle ? 
 
 Read fome portion of the Scriptures that 
 were not fo familiar to mee as other, or as they 
 {hould bee. 
 
 I would here note downe, as a caufe of 
 ThankfulnefTe, one of a multitude of tender 
 mercies and loving kindnefles of my Heavenly 
 Father^ his raifing mee up and reftoring mee 
 
 77 
 
 1652. 
 
 July 12, 
 Monday, 
 
.78 
 
 1652. 
 
 July 12, 
 Monday. 
 
 From the ^eji 
 
 of Cynthia, by 
 
 Michael Dray 
 
 ton. Ed. 
 
 From the Diary of 
 
 to Health, and to the care of my deare 
 Children in their Father's abfence ; and alfo 
 that with returning Health he hath given mee 
 a rejoycing Hearte. As I walked forth in the 
 warme Sunne fliine, the Fragrancie of the Aire, 
 and every thing around mee fo full of Beautie, 
 it did feeme that truly My Touth was renewed 
 like the Eagles ^ fo fweet and pleafant were my 
 Thoughts. 
 
 To-day my Strength was fo farre increafed 
 that I was able to walke downe to the Brooke, 
 and fate downe on the warme funnie Banke. 
 
 T!he Winds were hujht^ no Leafejojmall 
 
 At all wasjeene to ftirre^ 
 Whilefi tuning to the Water's fall 
 
 Thejmall Birds Jang to her. 
 
 Thought of my deare and honoured Mother y 
 and of the laft time wee did pafle together at 
 this Spot; the little Streame of cleere water 
 did now run gurgling on juft as it did then, 
 and the Flowers and the moffie Banke were 
 there, but my Mother's voice no more, yet did 
 fhe feeme neare mee, and nearer in this, that 
 fome of her experience had now beene mine. 
 Sorrow and Death had beene my teachers, 
 
Lady Willoughby. 
 
 Minijiers of his that do his pleafure ; but he 
 leaveth not his Children comfortlefle : the 
 words of the Lord Jejus fuftained mee, His 
 Life and His Death were my Strength and 
 Confolation. How fweet is it, that the Me- 
 morie of my Mother is ever linked with peace- 
 ful and holie Thoughts. Oh might I fo live 
 that my deare Children might fo thinke of mee, 
 but I am not worthie of this. Oh that the 
 defire may bee more prefent with mee, and put 
 more of Heaven into my Love for them. I 
 do confefle, with forrow and contrition of 
 Hearte, that my Solicitude for them hath beene 
 more Worldly as they have growen older, and 
 the fence of their immortall Deftination not fo 
 abiding, as when they were younger. Gifts 
 newly from God's owne Hand, and Talents 
 entrufted to my Stewardfhip. 
 
 Yefter-noone, Thankes bee unto the Moft 
 High^ to my unfpeakable joy and comfort my 
 deare Life returned to his Familie, through 
 Mercie well in Health, but changed by the 
 long Sea-voyages and the climate of the Indies ; 
 this, though onely in the outward, beeing the 
 fame loving Hujhand and Father, He flayed 
 not in London ; but fo foone as he could leave 
 the Ship, did earneftly fet forth hitherward. 
 
 179 
 
 165a. 
 
 July 19, 
 Monday. 
 
i8o 
 
 1652. 
 
 From the Diary of 
 
 He exprefTeth fome furprlfe to find the Nation 
 fo quiet^ the joy of our Meeting was faddened 
 by the manie relations to be given of the Mur- 
 ther of the late King and of fome of his former 
 Friends, and divers other particulars of the 
 ftate of Affaires and Parties, and the hopelefle 
 condition of his prefent Majejiie ; of familie 
 Newes there was much to learne. Mr. Edmund 
 Spenfer fayth, 
 
 One loving Houre 
 For manie Teares ofjorrow can difpen/e^ 
 A dram of Sweet is worth a pound of Soure ; 
 She hath forgot how manie a wofull fioure^ 
 For him fhe hath endured: Shefpeaks no more 
 Of paji ; true isy that true Love hath no power 
 T'o looken backe ; his Eyes bee fixed before. 
 
 Feare that I can fcarce fay this, not having fo 
 great HopefulnefTe. 
 
 My deare Life is well fatisfied with his 
 Daughters, and knoweth not which he doth 
 the mofl admire ; yet methought his eye turned 
 to the youngefl moft lovingly ; he is pleafed 
 to commend my Care of them. I had feares 
 that he might thinke them forward, or deficient 
 in obfervance of fome ceremonies, and did aflay 
 
Lady Willoughby. 
 
 fome little Apologie, if they were more free in 
 his prefence than did feeme altogether becom- 
 ming, feeing they had beene, in confequence 
 of my retired Life, more with mee than is 
 cuftomarle. In my lonely State I was faine to 
 folace myfelfe with their fweet Societie, and 
 did encourage them to feele unreftrained before 
 mee ; manie a lonefome and wearie Houre 
 have they lightened by their fimple Talke, 
 and eafed mee not feldom of troubled thoughts 
 by their dutifull Affeftion. 
 
 He fmiled as he replied he knew not what 
 might be deemed too forward, they fpake not 
 to him without Blufhing, yet were they free 
 from awkward Bafhfulnefle, he wiftied them 
 none otherwife, or in aught different, and had 
 onely to defire that they might grow up fuch 
 as their Mother. Teares did fpring to my 
 Eyes as he uttered thefe kind Words ; but 
 although as a Wife the prayfe was fweet and 
 incouraging, and I beleeve might be fo received 
 without conceit, yet in my Hearte did arife the 
 fecret Prayer, that they might be much better 
 Women than their Mother. He added, no 
 Father could defire better or prettyer Children, 
 and in his abfence 'Diana had fo grown, fhe 
 was, tho' not fo handfome as Fanny ^ an exceed- 
 
 i8i 
 
 1652. 
 
l82 
 
 1652. 
 
 July 27, 
 Tuejday. 
 
 Aug. 4, 
 TVedneJday. 
 
 From the Diary of 
 
 ing lovely young Creature. So we are rich in 
 our Daughter Sy if in nought elfe. 
 
 This Evening my Lord difcourfed fome time 
 on his feverall Adventures, affording us fome 
 pleafing entertainment by his Hiftorie of the dif- 
 ferent Iflands and Places; already is there a 
 Towne, which he has called Parhaniy began 
 building on the north of the Ifland of An- 
 tigua; and on the Southern fide of the fame 
 Ifland a beautiful Bay, into the which he 
 failed, and found flielter from a Storme, 
 which fuddenly arofe, and as it was through 
 the following his Councell that they fleered 
 in this courfe, it was named by the Sailers 
 Willoughby Bay ; and hence has beene fo 
 called by others, fo our name, and that of 
 our deare Par ham may abide, and may fome 
 day be familiar words to the Voyager, and 
 amidfl: a ftrange People, when o.ur Race 
 may be pafl^ed away, and the place thereof be 
 knowne no more. 
 
 My Lord having fixed on our Departure for 
 London^ have beene too bufie to take up the 
 Penne. Hee could not beare to leave his 
 Familie fo fliortly after his Returne; alfo to 
 mee the feparation would have beene ill to 
 beare, now that I have againe enjoyed the fup- 
 
Lady Willoughby • 
 
 port and happinefle of his Prefence, fo It is 
 determined that wee take Lodgings and re- 
 maine at London the while our Affaires may 
 make it needful fo to doe. 
 
 Came to our Lodgings, which are con- 
 veniently fituated in Rujfel Street^ Covent 
 Garden, 
 
 My Sifter called and tooke us in her Coach 
 to the Parke, As wee pafled Whitehall wee 
 alighted, and did looke with Awe and Sadneffe 
 on the fcene of his late Majeftie's Death. The 
 place through which hee was taken on to the 
 Scaffold having beene newly bricked up, points 
 out the exadt Spot. The Girls wifhed to enter 
 the Palace^ but there were no meanes at hand, 
 neither could I be fure it would be prudent. 
 
 This day went to Northumberland Houfe ; 
 there informed that Lady Lijle was in a dan- 
 gerous ftate, {hee had beene doing well till 
 yefter night ; the Babie is a healthy Child. 
 
 Mett the Earle of Winchelfea at Spring Gar- 
 dens^ he joined us ; he feemeth a Man of fome 
 Sence, and hath a lively and polite Manner. 
 
 Heard the forrowfull newes of Lady Lijle'^s 
 Death. The Bodie is to bee carried downe to 
 Penjhurft for Interment. Mr. Algernon Sydney 
 doth accompanie thither his afflided Brother. 
 
 183 
 
 1652. 
 
 Aug. 10, 
 Tuejday. 
 
 Aug. 12, 
 Thurjday, 
 
 Aug. 13, 
 Friday, 
 
1 84 
 
 1652. 
 
 Aug. 18, 
 Wtdnejday , 
 
 Auguft 22, 
 Sunday, 
 
 Auguft 23, 
 Monday. 
 
 From the Diary of 
 
 It is thought my Lord Leicejier will be likely 
 to keepe the Children at Pen/hurji. 
 
 Mr. John Evelyn called, the Lord Say^ and 
 others. 
 
 Went to heare Mr. Owen preach In the 
 morning ; in the evening heard Dr. Jeremy 
 Taylor. 
 
 Went forth early in the Day ; returning 
 from Wefiminfter wee tooke a Boate at White- 
 hally a landing place runs out fome way into 
 the River, and the Boats are brought up clofe 
 to the fide, fo that to fome it was an eafie 
 matter to ftep in, and thofe accuftomed to this, 
 had no more feare or difficultie than in ftepping 
 into a Coach ; for myfelfe, I doe confefl^e it 
 feemed of no eafie accomplifliment : the Boat 
 appeared narrow, though, wee were told, it 
 was one of the largeft fize in common ufe. 
 It had a convenient Shade or awning, with 
 Windowes, and was pulled by fix Rowers. ! 
 Wee went at an amazing rate ; and it did feeme | 
 marvellous how wee avoided running againft \ 
 other Boats, or they againft us. Landed at 
 the T'ower Staires^ could fcarce beleeve it fafe 
 for my Lord to be walking fo neare this darke 
 Prifon-houfe, but could not prevaile with him 
 to haften his fteps, hee defiring to fliew to his 
 
Lady Willoughby. 
 
 Children as much as he could fee to point out 
 of his former Prifon. ^^ Who next will be 
 murthered there?" hewhifpered; I fhuddered 
 to heare him fpeake of the Lords Capel and 
 Holland^ afking mee of the manner of their 
 Deaths and how it was taken by the People, 
 and other Queftions, all moft untin-ely, to my 
 thinking. 
 
 Begin to wearie of this great Towne ; fo | 
 much going hither and thither. Our Kinfman, } 
 Mr. Willoughby^ called to-day, and tooke us 
 to the Roy all Exchange: it is a Quadrangle, 
 and hath a Piazza round each fide, within are 
 benches for people to reft upon. Above this 
 covered walke there are Shops containing rich 
 Marchandife from the Indies^ both Eaft and 
 Weft, and elfewhere ; Haberdafliers' fhops, 
 and others of divers kindes. 
 
 The Earle of Wincheljea hath appeared to 
 afFedt our Societie more than our flight ac- 
 quaintance did feeme to neceflitate, the reafon 
 I whereof is now made to appeare. 
 j Retired early this evening, a Subje6l of much 
 I Solicitude having beene brought before my 
 ; Minde, and truly one very unexpedted. The 
 j Earle of Wincheljea hath expreffed his defire 
 to allie himfelfe with our Familie, having fixed 
 
 185 
 
 1652. 
 
 Auguft 28, 
 Saturday, 
 
 Sept. 20, 
 Monday. 
 
i86 
 
 1652. 
 
 From the Diary of 
 
 his Affeftions on my deare Daughter Diana^ 
 and doth crave Permiffion to waite upon her, 
 and expreffeth his humble hope, that wee will 
 looke favorably on his fuite. Our knowledge 
 of him is but fmall ; but I have heard my 
 Mother fpeake of his Familie, fhee having had 
 great efteeme for this Earle's Grandmother, 
 with whom fhee had good acquaintance, & did 
 confider herfelfe honoured thereby. When 
 Lady Maidjlone^ fhee received the Title of 
 CountefTe of Wincheljea from the hands of his 
 late Majeftie ; and this in refped of her worth 
 and great merits, fhee having beene previoufly 
 raifed to the Peerage by King James : So that 
 my Lord /F"/;/^>^d'^^comethof good Parentage, 
 a matter not to be lightly confidered. It would 
 doubtleffe bee a fatisfa6kion to beftow our 
 Daughter on one come of a good Lineage, and 
 who in other refpedls feemeth deferving of re- 
 gard; nevertheleffe my Minde is imprefled 
 with a painfull Senfe of the uncertaintie how 
 farre this Connexion may bee for her true 
 happineffe, and with the certaintie that Trialls 
 of manie forts attend this change of condition. 
 The fharpefl Paines and Sorrowes of life are 
 infeparable from its brightefl Joys. It is like 
 unto bidding my deare Child God fpeed, on 
 
Lady Willoughby. 
 
 her fetting forth on a long and hazardous 
 Voyage to an unknowne Country beyond my 
 helpe, and expofed to divers hidden Dangers, 
 and haply even Death. Who knoweth what 
 a day may bring forth ? the early morning may 
 fhine out brightly ; but foone doe the clouds 
 arife and obfcure its brightnefle ; and oft the 
 bow of promife, difcerned through the falling 
 Raine, is the onely token of future Sunnefhine ; 
 fo is Life : but for the gracious Promifes made 
 vifible to the eye of Faith, a darke and troublous 
 paflage, a difcipline whereby the will is to bee 
 fubjugated and Selfe facrificed, and fo the 
 Heart purified : what fayeth the Prophet : Hee 
 /hall Jit as a refiner of filver. So wee muft bee 
 tried, even by fire, till our corrupt Nature is 
 fitted to receive the Divine Image. But 
 though I am prone to confider Life, perhaps, 
 under too gloomie an Afpecft, as beeing more 
 alive to the fufFering of the Conflid:, than to 
 the peace of Vidorie, yet have I through 
 Infinite Mercie beene fuftained under Temp- 
 tation and Triall ; and fhould not I have the 
 fame truft for this deare Child. Alfo I have 
 received great earthly comfort and delight in 
 the endeared relations of Wife and Mother, 
 and the fame may bee her experience, and 
 
 187 
 
 165a. 
 
i88 
 
 1652. 
 
 October 5, 
 Tuefday. 
 
 Odober 6, 
 Wednejday, 
 
 From the Diary of 
 
 Oftober 23, 
 
 Saturday. 
 
 haply through lefTe inward conflid: : fhee hath 
 a cheereful and brave Spirrit, and a loving and 
 good Heart, and is worthie the efteeme and love 
 of any Man. How great a Comfort and Joy 
 {he hath beene to mee, and this in efpeciall 
 manner during the paft two Yeares, when fhe 
 hath greatly indeared herfelfe to mee by her 
 Thoughtfulnefle and Readinefle to helpe and 
 cheere mee when all other outward Support 
 failed : this may not be told, nor at this time 
 fliould it bee too keenely remembered. 
 
 Calls from our Kinsfolke and Friends : The 
 Earle introduced his Sifter Lady Waller. 
 
 Mr. John Evelyn called, and wee returned 
 with him to Sayes Court. Tooke a Boate to 
 Deptford: Went over the Garden to looke at 
 the improvements therein : He doth fay it can 
 never be to him fo fweet a place as Wotton; 
 ftill he beftoweth time and paines, and hath 
 much pleafure in laying out walkes, planting, 
 and fo forth. We were fhewen manie Curiofi- 
 ties, Bookes, Pidlures and the like ; the dried 
 Plants pleafed Fanny. 
 
 Little time for Reading or quiet Meditation. 
 Went to fee the Portugal Ambaflador goe in 
 ft ate to the Parliament Houfe. 
 
 The Earle importunes for an early Day ; 
 
Lady Willoughby. 
 
 my Hujband inclines to the fame for divers 
 reafons. Although there appeareth a Settle- 
 ment of the Nation, and an outward Quietnefle 
 and Submiflion of Parties, fome there bee who 
 are unwilling to fuppofe it will laft, and hints 
 are occafionally dropped among Friends, of 
 fecret Letters and Miffions ; and this Mariage 
 would put one of our Familie, as my Lord 
 doth exprefle it, to faile in another Boate. 
 
 189 
 
 1652. 
 
I9C 
 
 1653. 
 
 April 5, 
 Tuefday. 
 
 From the 
 Countefs of 
 
 TVinchelJea 
 to the Ladie 
 
 TVilloughby, 
 
 From the Diary of 
 
 Sad Mifchance hath befallen 
 the tame Redbreaft, which had 
 not beene feene for neare a 
 Weeke, & wee fuppofed it had 
 a Neft which kept it away ; but it hath beene 
 found lying neare the Windore of the Apple- 
 roome, not much ufed of late, ftarved to death. 
 'Diana will lament to heare the fad fate of the 
 little Bird fhee did feed all the Winter, which 
 was fo tame hee would pecke out of her Hand. 
 The old Raven too hath dyed fince fhee went 
 away. 
 
 Madame, 
 
 Your Ladyfhip's Letter was duly received 
 by mee, and hath given mee Comfort. 
 Deare Mother^ I will ftrive to walke after 
 
Lady Willoughby. 
 
 the excellent advice you give mee : this 
 great Citie is exceeding lonefome ; I will do 
 my endeavour to thinke lefle of the Fields 
 and Woods of Parham, My Heart pineth 
 for Home, and meethinks one Kifle from 
 my Mother would bee a Confolation, and 
 leave mee to more contented thoughts ; but 
 I defire not to complaine, neither have I 
 juft caufe. The Earle fpeakes of our going - 
 into Rutland/hire this Summer : Burleigh^ 
 I heard faye, is a fine place. We went to 
 fuppe at Mr. Pepys\ and heard an Italian 
 Mufician plaie on a Harpe in an aftonifh- 
 ing manner : Mr. Evelyn was there, hee 
 did inquire concerning your health and of 
 my Sifter Fanny^ who, I do aflure you, 
 hee doth admire greatly ; hee fayth people 
 of fafhion doe now beginne the Yeare as 
 doe Foreiners, in Januarye, the change 
 is like to bee troublefome ; fome one made 
 the remarke that the Spring time feemeth 
 more properly to begin the yeare than the 
 Winter, and fo it feemeth to mee. 
 
 Deare Mother^ I hope this will find you in 
 Health ; alfo my honoured Father, to whom 
 is my dutiful! AfFedtion : I defire my Love 
 to my Sifters, and hoping you will excufe 
 
 191 
 
 1653. 
 
192 
 
 1653. 
 
 From the Diary of 
 
 this poore writing, as you know I did never 
 excell in this Arte, I remaine 
 
 Your Ladyfliip s obedient 
 
 and loving Daughter, 
 T), Wincheljea. 
 Strand^ 
 6th of April, 1653. 
 
 Madame, 
 
 The Earle doth informe mee that a 
 Meflenger is going Northward, and hath 
 oiFred mee, if I wifhed to write to your 
 Ladyfhip, hee would fend my Letter. 
 Though but little difpofed I take up the 
 penne : I cannot fend you the better account 
 of my Health you fo much defire to heare ; 
 and at times, deareft Mother, I am fo low, I 
 wonder almoft if I am the fame Creature 
 that was once merrie enough. Yefter-day 
 in the forenoone I rode out by the Earle' s 
 defire in the new Coach: he hath taken 
 great paines in the ordering of it ; it is made 
 after the patterne that Mr. Evelyn brought 
 from Paris ; wee were nigh beeing upfet 
 in Drury Lane, by reafon of the deepe tracks 
 into which the wheels fanke, and a Wagon 
 load of Hay mett us ; after a deale of lifting 
 
Lady Willoughby. 
 
 and puftiing, wee went on. The fweet fcent 
 of the Hay coming in at the windore tooke 
 my thoughts to Parhaniy and to thofe dayes 
 when I was happier riding with Fanny and 
 little Be/s in our Hay-cart, than fitting ftately 
 up in this fine Coach. Rode in Hide Parke ; 
 they paie one fliilling now at the Gate, 
 which difpleafes manie. On Wednefday, in 
 Mulberie Gardens^ met Mr. Evelyn and Mrs. 
 Evelyn^ and fome Ladies : here were a num- 
 ber of gaily drefl^ed Perfons, and Tables of 
 refrefhment. 
 
 Hoping you are well, 
 
 deare Mother, 
 I refl: your Ladyfliip's moft 
 
 obedient & loving Daughter, 
 D. Winchelfea. 
 Strandy 
 i6th of July y 1653. 
 
 P.S. My Lord tells mee your Ladyflbips 
 old friend Sir Harry Vane hath taken the 
 late conduct of the Protestor fo ill, that hee 
 hath retired to Raby CaJielL 
 
 Have heard no Newes of my Daughter 
 Winchelfea for fome time, to-day did receive a 
 Letter writt with Cheerfulnefl^e and in good 
 
 193 
 
 1653. 
 
 Oaober 25, 
 Tuejday, 
 
194 
 
 i6S3. 
 
 From the Diary of 
 
 Odlober 27, 
 Tburjday. 
 
 Hearte at the Profped before her ; The Lord 
 hear her in the day of trouble. It is a triall 
 not to bee with her at a time when no perfon 
 can bee the comfort which I know that I fhould 
 bee to my deare Child ; but wee muft fubmit : 
 fliee will have kind Friends and good care I 
 doubt not. Shee hath beene at the Chriftening 
 at Sayes Courts and findeth herfelfe in no way 
 the worfer, but indeed the better, for the lively 
 Companie fhee did there meete. Good Mr. 
 Owen did perform the Service in Mr. Evelyns 
 Librarie ; this I thinke is Mr. Evelyn's fecond 
 Sonne. 
 
 To-day read in i Corinthians ^ 13 Chap. 
 4. Verfe. Under a trying fence of Difcourage- 
 ment in the failure of an endeavour to fet fome 
 Affaires ftraight which did concerne others as 
 well as myfelfe, wherein one fhewed a Jealoufy 
 and meane Sufpicion very grievous to mee : I 
 fate downe in my chamber, moved to teares at 
 this Unkindenefle in one from whom I did 
 expedt farre otherwyfe. In this Defpondency, 
 and lett mee confeffe it, not without fome 
 feelings of Refentment, the wordes of the Text 
 were brought before mee, Charitie fuffereth 
 long^ vaunteth not it/elf e^ is not puffed up : Felt 
 humbled ; had I not fhewen an impatience of 
 
Lady Willoughby. 
 
 Temper, a readinefle to take Offence, and to 
 juftifie myfelfe ? Is not puffed up ; Had I not 
 given incouragement to a felfe-fatlsfied Splrrit, 
 like the Pharifee^ that I was not as other Men 
 are, and fo was gulltie of a worfe Fault than 
 hee whom I did condemne? Spirltuall Pride 
 beeing the worfl: fort of Pride : now after that 
 my perturbation had ceafed, and through a 
 little wholefome felfe-examination, I did ftrive 
 to overcome vaine Thoughts of myfelfe and 
 evil Thoughts of another, fome parte of the 
 BufinefTe did appeare in a new light, and fhortly 
 afterward I was able to convince my Friend, 
 who did immediately repent him of the termes 
 he had ufed. It is not enough alwayes to bee 
 in the right, but wee muft bee carefull not to 
 obfcure the Truth by too greate anxietie to 
 make others thinke wee are. 
 
 195 
 
 1653- 
 
ig6 
 
 1654.. 
 
 April 22, 
 Saturday, 
 
 From the Diary of 
 
 1654. 
 
 His afternoone arrived my 'Daugh- 
 ter Wincheljea and her Infant, 
 Servants, &c. A Coach drawne 
 by fix Horfes was a fight in Far- 
 hamy and all the Village ranne out, and manie 
 People colledled at the Gate, fome for the 
 fight, others to teftifie their pleafure: Nur/e 
 had come up to the Houfe, likewife Cicely and 
 her Children, and the Hall was crowded with 
 faces when my deare Child entered once more 
 her Father's Houfe. 
 
 Never was a greater rejoycing in our Houfe- 
 hold. As I remained with Die for fliort fpace 
 in the Parlour, and looked in her fweet face 
 enquiringly, teares ftarted to her eyes, but 
 momentarie, her prefent Joy flione through 
 them, and faying, I am happie now, my 
 Mother^ fiiee quickly ledde me up to the 
 
hady Willoughby. 
 
 Nurferie to fee her Child ; as wee did enter 
 the roome, fuch a din of voices feared the poore 
 little Fellow, and hee was juft fetting up a dif- 
 trefTefull crie when hee caught fight of his 
 Mother's Face, and was pacified : Nurfe rubbed 
 her Spedacles, and could not enough admire 
 him. Quietnefs in the Houfe at lafl:. At 
 night feelings were revived of pafl: Sorrow ; as 
 I fl:ood with my Daughter by the Cradle where 
 her little Sonne was fleeping, the fame in which 
 my Firji-borne had once flept, in the full promife 
 of Health and Life ; yet fo foone to lie there 
 in the fleepe of Death. 
 
 The befl: Bed-roome had beene made readie 
 with no fmall preparation of the Toylet Table, 
 the new white Satin Pinnecufliion imbroidered 
 by Fanny; the chafed Silver Canilefl:ickes 
 given mee by my Uncle; the rofe-coloured 
 Ewers of Venetian Glafl!e Silver mounted ; and 
 the Cup and Stand of wrought Gold fet with 
 fiio^es, brought by my Father from the Nether- 
 lands ; and India boxes for pouders and per- 
 fumes. Two Maids were in attendance, and 
 Nurfe fl:ood at the Doore drefled in her befl: 
 Gowne and Apron of fine Lawne, and her 
 white Cap and Kercher, to receive the young 
 Countefl^e, who did laugh merrily at all this 
 
 197 
 
 1654. 
 
198 
 
 x654. 
 
 April 28, 
 Friday. 
 
 From the Diary of 
 
 ftate ; and afterward, when wee did parte for 
 the night, as fhe did looke around her, and 
 at the high Bed, the thicke Dammalke Cur- 
 taines, and fpread with a rich Coverlet of quilted 
 Satin, fhee prayed fhee might be permitted 
 after this night to fleepe with her Sifter in their 
 old pleafant Chamber. 
 
 Have fetled to our accuftomed Wayes, ex- 
 cepting that there is ever a going to and fro to 
 the Nurferie, and young Mafter calleth out 
 Luftily. He is furely a fine Child: Our 
 Neighbours are fomewhat furprized that my 
 Daughter taketh on herfelfe not more Sedate- 
 nefle or Ceremonie. True is it that when her 
 Prefence is required fhee is feldome to be found 
 in the withdrawing Roome ; yefterday, in the 
 afternoone, when Companie did arrive, fhee 
 was downe at the Dairie making acquaintance 
 with her pet Calfe Strawberrie^ now growne 
 up into a fine brindled Cow : In the Still-roome 
 with her Sifter, her fweet merrie voice is like 
 my little T>te of yeares paft ; but when at 
 worke with mee, fhee fometimes falleth into a 
 fadder Mood, yet it pafTeth away. It pleafeth 
 mee to fee her enjoy her dear Sifters companie 
 and the Occupations of the Countrey, but fhee 
 doth feeme more indifferent to the Abfence of 
 
Lady Willoughby. 
 
 the Earle than I would fhee did ; I have ad- 
 ventured difcreetly to approch the fubjedl, but 
 fhee doth dextroufly avoide faying ought that 
 fhould imply Difcontentment on her part, or 
 Unkindneffe or Diflatisfadion on her Hujband's; 
 and I have heard from others, that the Match 
 was acceptable to his Kindred, who have feve- 
 rally fhewen their efteeme for her. If any 
 Caufe there bee of a Perfonall kind, in the 
 Temper or Habits that giveth her Uneafinefle, 
 which ftandeth in the way of a more entire 
 AfFec5lion toward him who fhould be firfl in 
 her Honour and Love, fhe keepeth it to her- 
 felfe : hard, yea, and unbearable muft bee the 
 Yoke, and bitter the Bondage, where Love is 
 not, or but a divided Affedion; and woe is 
 mee, I have great feares for my Child's Happi- 
 nefTe, and in this Trouble I can do little or 
 nothing to lighten her Burthen. The Heart 
 knoweth its owne Bitternejfe^ and a Stranger 
 intermeddleth not. It is fo farre well that there 
 doth exift no want of outward Courtefie or 
 Refped in my Lord Wincheljea's Deportment. 
 Hee is much in the gaie World, and as fome 
 Men afFed: an indifferency toward their Wives 
 as more dignified, if fuch bee the prefent Mode 
 his is not the Minde to contemne fuch a def- 
 
 [99 
 
 1654. 
 
200 
 
 1654. 
 
 May I, 
 
 Monday* 
 
 From the Diary of 
 
 pifable Vanitie, and hee hath the more Credit 
 that hee offend not in this way. It ftriketh 
 mee at this time, as it hath not heretofore that 
 the Scriptures doe oft fo fpeake as though 
 Man's Portion mainly were worthie of con- 
 fideration, for good or ill, in this Union ; this 
 may bee from the Cuftome of the Countreys 
 in the Eaft, to looke upon a Wife as no more 
 than a Servant: And here wee may obferve 
 the change in this refpedb wrought by our 
 Saviour^ whofe tender Compaflion overlooked 
 not the weake and dependant nature of Wo- 
 man, but raifed her up from her low eftate; 
 defpifed not her Humilitie, but accepted her 
 Faith, and opened her Heart to underftand his 
 Teachings. No marvell that the Mothers 
 brought their little Children that their Divine 
 Matter might blefle them alfo. 
 
 Heare little of any publicke Newes. Die 
 fayth manie were greatly fcandalized that the 
 FroteElor fhould goe to a Feaft at the Lord 
 Maior's on AJh-WedneJday^ riding in ftate 
 through the Cittie ; Service was forbidden in 
 all the Churches. 
 
 Have engaged Mr. Peter Hingjion^ Organift 
 of St. Marys Church in Ipfwich^ to come to 
 Parham one day in flie weeke ; the Girles 
 
Lady Willoughby. 
 
 mightily pleafed, and promife to bee diligent 
 Schollers. He is Nephew to Mr. John Hing- 
 JioUy the Organift to the FroteBor^ who hath 
 had the Organe of Magdalen Colledge brought 
 from Oxford and put up at Hampton Courts 
 where he delighteth in hearing it as hee walketh 
 in the greate Gallerie. Mr. Hingjlon fayth his 
 Highnefle hath alfo a love for Singing, and 
 hath Concerts performed before him, and fo 
 pleafed was he with the Singing of one Mr. 
 ^^/;/, that he reftored him to his Student's 
 place in Chrifi-Church^ from which he had 
 beene turned out. 
 
 Sentence hath beene executed on Mr. Ger- 
 rard and one named Vowely taken in the late 
 Confpiracie, likewife the Portugal Ambaffador's 
 Brother, their time of probation cut fhort by 
 Man's cruell Judgements, and their Soules 
 hurried unbidden into the Prefence of their 
 Creator: when will the End of fuch things bee? 
 when will Man as well as the Angels rejoyce 
 over the Sinner that repenteth } 
 
 Letter from my Daughter ^ the little Heneage 
 in good Health, and Hkely to bee off on his 
 Feet before he is much older. 
 
 It was reported in Ipfwich that the Prote^for 
 was killed, fome faid by a PiftoU Shot. 
 
 201 
 
 1654. 
 
 June 21, 
 Wednejday, 
 
 Odober 3, 
 Tuejday., 
 
202 
 
 1654. 
 
 Oftober 4, 
 Wednejday, 
 
 Dec. 10, 
 
 Sunday. 
 
 From the Diary of 
 
 The Newes of the Death of the Prote^ior 
 proves to have beene a falfe Report, yet was 
 hee not farre off fuch an Accident ; having a 
 minde to drive his owne Coach drawne by the 
 fix Horfes lately given to him by the Duke of 
 Oldenhurgh^ hee did provoke them with the 
 Whip, which made them unruly, and his High- 
 nejfe was flung from off the Coach-box, and 
 his Feet being caught in the Tackling he was 
 dragged fome way : the report of the Pifloll 
 occafioned fome prefent to thinke he was Shot; 
 but it was found to bee one which hee did 
 weare concealed, and this hath beene much 
 commented on, as no one did imagine that he 
 flood in fo great Feare of his Life as to carrie 
 Fire-armes about his Perfon.. 
 
 Much Sicknefl^e and Want among our poore 
 Neighbours : not a day pafleth but that fome 
 one or other fendeth up to the Hall for Phi- 
 ficke or Helpe of fome fort. Our flocke of 
 Linfie Wool fie hath beene of good fervice, alfo 
 a Cloth called Fuftian, made in the north, 
 called Bolton Cloth. Fanny is now rewarded 
 for her diligence in her Herbe Garden and the 
 Still-roome, and hath given out divers Medi- 
 cines with her owne Hands, which have proved 
 ferviceable, and comforting Cordials and Syrops 
 
Lady Willoughby. 
 
 for the old and weakely, which fhee doth oft 
 take to thofe that are bed-rid, and returneth 
 rich In the Bleffings of the Poore and thofe 
 readie to perifh. 
 
 In fome folicitude for my Daughter Win- 
 chelfea^ who looketh to the encreafe of her 
 Familie in another month or thereabout ; when 
 writing to her by Mr. Gage did call to her 
 Remembrance the 15 Verfe of the 2nd. 
 Chapter of St. Paul's \ft Epijlle to Timothy. 
 The Lord bleffe her and keepe her, the Lord 
 blefle her evermore. 
 
 203 
 1654. 
 
204 
 
 1654-5- 
 
 Feb. 17, 
 Saturday, 
 
 Feb. ^Oy 
 Tuefday, 
 
 Feb. 23, 
 Friday, 
 
 From the Diary of 
 
 1654-5. 
 
 iY Lord Newport came yefter- 
 night, and this evening arrived 
 Sir Henry SUngJby and one other, 
 who departed after Supper. 
 Letter from my Daughter Wincheljea^ fliee 
 doth write cheerfully, and fays fliee hath re- 
 covered wonderfully well ; the Infant thrives, 
 & her little Heneage is mightily pleafed with 
 his Sifter ; when fhee cries, he runnes up to 
 kifle her, and is difturbed to find it of no availe : 
 may my deare Daughter s Nurferie be to her 
 an encreafing Joy, and repaie her for all that 
 fhee hath gone through. 
 
 How greatly to my comfort and happinefle 
 would it bee if my Hufband would keepe from 
 meddling in the Affaires of either Partie, and live 
 in fuch retirement as doth now Sir Harry Vane^ 
 
Lady Willoughby. 
 
 who abideth quietly at i?<^/^j; alfo another of his 
 former Friends, Colonell Hutchinjon^ who hath 
 ftirred not in publicke Matters for fome time ; I 
 have heard faie hee did foone fufpedl the Defigns 
 of Cromwell^ and was held in fmall favour by 
 him, this the more that he fpake with plaine- 
 nefle and Sinceritie when words of Complement 
 would have beene more acceptable, hereby 
 giving offence, as was evident and much noted 
 at the time, in the negledt purpofely fhewn to 
 him at the Funerall of Generall Ireton : Col. 
 Hutchinjofiy it is fayd, doeth great good in his 
 part of the Countrey as a Magiftrate, and doth 
 give up much of his Time in endevour to 
 improve the People in his Neighbourhood : 
 a Kinfman of Mrs. Hutchinfon who had lately 
 vifited Awthorpe^ and paffed by this way on 
 his journey homeward, did gi^^e us a pleafing 
 Relation of Mr. Hutchinfon s care for the 
 Education and Amufement of his Children, 
 providing for them Matters in Muficke and 
 Painting. Hee hath an ardent love for Paint- 
 ing, and hath become poffeff'd of feverall choice 
 Pidures of the late King's^ fome of which hee 
 did buy from thofe who had received them for 
 Wages or Money owing to them, before that 
 the Protestor had put a flop to the Sale. 
 
 205 
 1654-5. 
 
206 
 
 1654-5. 
 
 March 24, 
 Saturday. 
 
 March 27, 
 Tuejday. 
 
 March 28, 
 JVedneJday, 
 
 From the Diary of 
 
 March 30, 
 Friday, 
 
 My deareiife/Z'^;/^ came home with a difturbed 
 Countenance. The Government has beene 
 verie bufie with Arrefts and Examinations; 
 a Friend in London writes there is a report 
 much credited that the King is in this Countrey : 
 it is pretie well knowne that my Lord Rochejler 
 is fkulking about, and divers Gentlemen are 
 under fufpicion : feared to afke any Quef- 
 tion : Sir Henry Sling/by came at night-fall. 
 
 My Daughter writes that the eldeft Child 
 is ficke. 
 
 Another Letter ; my little Grandfonne worfe. 
 
 Deare Mother, 
 
 Heneage is very ill, and the Phyfitions 
 thinke that Babie is fickening of the Difeafe. 
 The Earle not having had the Small-pox, 
 has yielded to my entreatie that hee would 
 keepe out of the way of Infedtion as much 
 as poffible ; but he will not leave the Houfe, 
 and, deare Mother, fheweth tender care for 
 mee and the Children : 
 
 afking your Prayers, I am 
 
 your dutiful 1 Daughter, 
 
 D. Winchelfea, 
 
 The precious Child is removed. Have writt 
 
Lady Willoughby. 
 
 to my poore bereaved Daughter ; fcarce, mee- 
 thinks, can there be a chance for the Babies 
 Life. My deare Hujband much moved by the 
 Lofle of his fweet Grandjonne^ and we wept 
 together at the thought that we ftiould fee his 
 little merrie Face no more. 
 
 Madame, 
 
 It is with unfpeakable Griefe that I have 
 to informe your Lady/hipp of the Deceafe 
 of my Sonney who departed this Life at 9 
 o'clocke this Morning. The Infant is no 
 better; but the Feaver is not fo greate as 
 was the little Boyes^ and my deare JVife doth 
 continue to hope it will be fpared to comfort 
 us for our heavy Lofle : I beg your Lady/hip 
 to excufe more at this time from, 
 Madame, your Ladyjhip^s 
 Afi^edlionate and humble Servant, 
 
 Winchelfea. 
 
 To-day have received another Letter from 
 my Lord Wincheljea; the little Infant is re- 
 leafed. My poore 'Daughter's forrow unexprefl!'- 
 able, both her precious Babes taken ! Heavenly 
 Father^ comfort and fupport her under this 
 
 207 
 
 1655. 
 
 Letter from 
 the Earle of 
 Wincheljea, 
 
 April 2, 
 Monday. 
 
208 
 
 1655. 
 
 April 4, 
 Wednejday. 
 
 April 8, 
 Sunday, 
 
 Letter of 
 
 Ladie 
 Wmcbeljea. 
 
 From the Diary of 
 
 afflidling DIfpenfatlon of thy Providence, My 
 poore Child ! 
 
 Have beene pleafed to fee the Sympathie 
 felt by all our Houfhold in this feafon of 
 Trouble; the Women can fcarce fpeake for 
 crying when they afke how my Daughter bears 
 the Lofle of her fweet Children: Fanny & 
 Elizabeth greatly diftrefled, they doe heartily 
 love their Sijier : this is the firft Bereavement 
 they have fuiFered. 
 
 An unfiniflied Letter from my poore afflidled 
 Daughter fent mee by her Hujhandy who doth 
 adde to it a fewe Lines, hee found it on her 
 Table, fhee having beene carried to bed by 
 her Maids, too ill to continue writing : my 
 Heart is pierced through by her SufFering. 
 Have mercie, oh God^ upon thy afflidled Hand* 
 maiden, ftrengthen her Faith, binde up her 
 broken Heart, and pour the oile of Confolation 
 into her wounded AfFedion. Shee mourneth 
 as Rachel for her Children^ and will not bee 
 comforted. Unto thy Fatherly Care doe I com- 
 mit her, in the blefled Aflurance that fhee will be 
 brought to know thee, the God of all Confolation. 
 
 Deare Mother^ 
 
 All is now fo changed I wonder that I 
 
Lady Willoughby. 
 
 Live. My Teares feeme frozen up, and a 
 heavie Weight is at my Heart. 
 
 Deare Mother y I am a little better; in 
 very miferie I crawled up to the Nurferie, 
 the Cradle and the little Bed, they were 
 there : but my Children^ my precious ones : 
 I kneeled downe and tried to praie, and fo 
 wept. Were my Prayers too wilfuU, that 
 God heard mee not when I prayed night and 
 day for the Life of my Darlings ? Is my God 
 thy Gody Mother ? thou prayefl: and Hee 
 anfwereth thee ; but Hee is far from me, 
 childlefle, comfortleffe. 
 
 Writt to my beloved Daughter, but could 
 onely feebly expreffe what I would faine give 
 utterance to of my tender Sympathie, and 
 intreatie that ftiee would fubmit to the Chaften- 
 ing of Him who doth not willingly affli5i : 
 Exhorted her to feeke for the onely true Peace 
 promifed by the Saviour y the Peace he left to 
 his Difciples, of Love and perfe6t Obedience, 
 even to the Death of the Crofle ; and did 
 conclude with a few words on Praier, which 
 I humbly hope may be fome helpe to her. I 
 cannot fuffer for her ; but I doe fuifer with her, 
 my deare afflidled Child. 
 
 209 
 
 1655. 
 
 April 9, 
 Monday. 
 
210 
 
 1655. 
 
 April 23, 
 Monday. 
 
 June 2, 
 
 Saturday. 
 
 From the Diary of 
 
 While yet In much fadnefle my Hujband 
 perplexed by the Newes that Sir Henry Slingfby 
 is arretted, and others, and hath delayed his 
 Journey into Leicejierjhire. He hath Informa- 
 tion from a Friend that In the examinations of 
 one Jones^ reported to Secretary Thurlowe^ the 
 Lord Willoughby's name Is mentioned, that hee 
 was to bee a Generall and head the rifing In 
 Torkfhire ; feverall Gentlemen taken In Shrop- 
 /hire. Could no longer conceale my Feares, 
 and urged him with every the moft earneft 
 Perfwafion to have no more part In thefe vaine 
 Attempts. How fhort a time Is It fince the 
 laft VIdims were brought to Death. Alas! 
 naught that I can faie availeth, and no meafure 
 of Prudence that I can devife, can cover his 
 Rafiinefle ; not that indeed he acknowledgeth 
 to the truth of my Sufplcions, but fays Women 
 are alwayes thinking there muft be fome- 
 thing dangerous If a Man doe but ftirre ever 
 fo little. 
 
 My Hufbandh2ith Intelligence that Warrants 
 are out againfl: him and my Lord Newport^ 
 and his Brother Mr. Seymour^ and other Gentle- 
 men : He will not conceale himfelfe, faying 
 there can nothing bee proved againft him. 
 Hee hath of purpofe hidde from mee fome late 
 
Lady Willoughby, 
 
 Tranfadtions^ the fo doing hee did entreat mee 
 to confider no want of belief in my Prudence, 
 feeing there could by no poffibilitie bee one in 
 whom hee could more furely truft, or whofe 
 Counfell hee would more defire, but the Safetie 
 of himfelfe and his Familie and others, did 
 make this the moft prudent courfe. Hee did 
 kindly enter into fome Particulars. An Order 
 hath lately pafled the Councell^ that all with 
 Eftates above lOO pounds yearely value, who 
 at any time have taken up Armes for the King^ 
 fhall pay a Tenth of their Propertie to Govern- 
 ment. Something like, fayd hee, the old affaire 
 of Ship Money : alfo another mode of raifmg 
 Money is fet on foote ; the whole Countrey is 
 divided ; and officers, whom they ftyle Major 
 Generalise appointed over each Divifion, who 
 fine and fend to Prifon whom they pleafe, under 
 pretence of beeing delinquents : this Oppreflion 
 not likely to be borne. In the afternoone he 
 rode toward Colchefter^ where fome one was to 
 meete him : Wing field had gone on before with 
 a led Horfe. 
 
 Wing field returned, and fayth his Lord was 
 gone on to London^ and did defire I would 
 make myfelfe eafie ; more eafie to bee defired 
 than to bee done. Did refraine queftioning 
 
 211 
 
 1655. 
 
 June 3, 
 
 Sunday. 
 
212 
 
 1655. 
 
 June 6, 
 Wednejday. 
 
 June 14, 
 Thurjday, 
 
 From the Diary of 
 
 Wingfield more clofely, poflibly he hath beene 
 commanded filence. 
 
 Not long have I had to waite for thofe 
 Tidings which I knew muft arrive ; So foone 
 as hee reached London laft Saturday ^ my deare 
 Life was arrefted and carried ftraight to the 
 Tower, at the fame time with my Lord New- 
 'port and Mr» Seymour. 
 
 Left without any Diredlions, have determined 
 to take Fanny and Elizabeth and follow him 
 to London : Intereft muft be made with all our 
 Friends : now is it well for us that my Lord 
 Lijle declined going on the Embaflage to 
 Sweden, and is in London at this time. The 
 Lord Say too will give us helpe. 
 
 With Fanny's affiftance chofe fome Lodgings 
 in Leadenhall Street, leaving her Sijter at my 
 Lord Wincheljea' s ; would faine have left Fanny 
 alfo, but fhee could by no perfuafion bee pre- 
 vailed upon, and a deare Comfort fhee is to mee. 
 The young Man Lydgate feemes likely to fuite ; 
 hee is adive, and though quret is not eafily 
 daunted, and hath good ftocke of t>ommon 
 fenfe: When his Brother was killed iri the 
 North, his Mother tooke to her Bed, and 
 foone after died, bidding her Sonne with her 
 laft breath come up to the Hall and faie that 
 
Lady Willoughby, 
 
 Peggy Lydgate did pray mee to take into my 
 Service the Sonne whofe Life I had faved; 
 and a faithfull Ladde hee hath beene and 
 feemeth like to bee. 
 
 Refufed Admittance to the ToweVy ftricft 
 orders are given that no Friends of the Pri- 
 fbners bee admitted : Sent Lydgate back to the 
 Tower^ carrying with him Linnen, Wine, and 
 other matters for the dear Prifoner ; when hee 
 returned fayd my Lord was greatly chafed at 
 this mifadventure, yet hath hee no Mifgivings 
 of his Safetie as to his Life ; for how long a 
 time he may bee fliut up in Prifon, it liketh 
 him not to thinke. Divers other Gentlemen 
 are in the 'Tower ^ Sir Frederick Cornwallis^ the 
 Lord Maynardy Sir Geoffrey T aimer ^ and others: 
 Could fcarce fleepe at night, difturbed by pre- 
 fent Feares and paft Remembrances. 
 
 Tooke a Coach and drove to Charter Houfe 
 Square : My Lord Grey not at home ; then 
 to Northumberland Houje ; got fight of Lord 
 Lijle with fome difficulty. Hee doth aflure 
 mee that hee beleeveth the Gentlemen now in 
 the Tower are put there more to keepe them 
 from doing Mifchief than with any intent to 
 bring them to a Triall. His Highneffe^ then^ 
 fayd ly/crupleth not at Starre Chamber Fratlice^ 
 
 213 
 
 1655. 
 
 June 15, 
 
 Friday, 
 
 June 16, 
 Saturday. 
 
214 
 
 1655. 
 
 From the Diary of 
 
 and innocent Men are /hut up in Prifon at his 
 pleqfure without proof e of being guiltie^ or oppor- 
 tunitie given to fhew their innocence. He made 
 replie with fome Harfhnefle of manner, My 
 L^r^ Willoughby may bee innocent in your Lady- 
 /hip's EyeSy but his treajonable De/ignes are fo 
 well knowne that his be/l Friends may bee glad 
 of what your Lady /hip is pleajed to call Starre 
 Chamber PraSlife. He then added more mildly, 
 that hee hoped wee would bee patient, and pro- 
 mifed he would ufe his utmoft Indeavour to 
 procure leave for mee to fee my Hu/hand, 
 Mr. Algernon Sydney here entered the Roome, 
 and his Brother introduced him to mee, and I 
 rofe about to take my leave; when Mr. Sydney 
 begged to detaine me for a fhort time : Hee 
 then repeated what his Brother had before faid, 
 and proceeded to fay that he had that efteeme 
 for my Lord Willoughby that hee did defire he 
 {hould not misjudge him in the matter of the 
 late King's Triall and Death. Hee was pre- 
 fent on the firfl: day of the Triall, but did fee 
 then a fterne Refolve in the Countenance of 
 fome which did alarm him as alfo Coll. Hutchin^ 
 fon^ and forthwith he departed the Houfe, 
 feeing it was too ftrong a Current for him to 
 checke, and remained at Pen/hur/l. All Eng- 
 
Lady Willoughby, 
 
 lijhmen hee conceived were called upon to re- 
 fifl: the tyrannous and unconftitutional Govern- 
 ment of the late King, but to the Neceflitie of 
 the lafl: murderous Adt, he would never fub- 
 fcribe : What Meafure might have beene adop- 
 ted it were ufeleffe now to enquire ; he did 
 beleeve thofe who were at the Head of the 
 State were men of honeft Views and Intentions 
 in the beginning ; but there had beene a 
 gradual 1 Change in fome, and a dangerous 
 Ambition ftirring in one Minde, whereof it 
 was not expedient to fpeake openly ; the End 
 would ihortly come. No great Evill can be 
 remedied without Evill enfuing in the pro- 
 cefle ; honeft Men muft hold faft to the Good 
 to be obtained, even though they may bee 
 drawne into the Whirlepoole of man's worft 
 Paflion, and fuffer the Shame of man's worft 
 deeds, an honeft Man muft abide by the 
 Truth ; ay, and die for the Truth. He did 
 appeare to forget to whom he fpake, his fterne 
 voice foftened as he begged mee not to be 
 alarmed ; my Hujband's Life he knew to bee 
 in no jeopardie. I tooke my leave in fome 
 Agitation : I had looked at thefe Things from 
 a diftance, now I beheld one of the A dors in 
 the ftruggle, and my feeble Spirit quailed at 
 
 215 
 
 1655- 
 
2l6 
 
 1655. 
 
 June 17, 
 Sunday, 
 
 June 18, 
 Monday, 
 
 June 20, 
 
 Wednejday, 
 
 From the Diary of 
 
 the Sight: fervently thanked God that the 
 awful Triall of giving up Life for the Truth 
 had not beene apportioned to mee, or to thofe 
 neare and deare unto mee. 
 
 My Lord Lijle called ; he had beene to 
 Whitehall^ but could not get an Audience with 
 the Prote^or^ but hath engaged Mr. Thurlow 
 in our Behalf, who hath promifed his Influence. 
 
 Mr. Evelyn came ; he doth propofe to 
 carrie backe with him my Daughter Fanny to 
 Sayes Courts and alfo exprefles an earneft defire 
 that fliee may accompanie him to the T^un- 
 bridge Wells: gave my Confent gladly, be- 
 leeving that the Waters of that place would 
 be of Service to her Health, not that fliee 
 ftands fo much in need of Improvement in 
 that refped: as fliee once did. 
 
 My Sifter came and tooke mee to fuppe 
 with her. 
 
 Yefl:erday beeing Lords T>ay^ and having 
 heard mention that at the Church of St. 
 Gregorie was ftill ufed the Church Forme of 
 Service, the Liturgie, &c. and beeing defirous 
 to heare the fame, went there. Heard Dr. 
 Wild preach. Church well attended. Re- 
 turned home by the Strand ; my Daughter but 
 poorely ; if through mercie fliee keepe up 
 
Lady Willoughby. 
 
 through this Month I fliall be more at eafe 
 concerning her. 
 
 Our Friends, after ufing every means, could 
 onely obtaine Permiffion that I ihould fee my 
 Hujband during the fpace of one houre, and 
 this in the prefence of two of the Soldiers on 
 guard: my Lord Lijle did with much kindnefle, 
 advife mee to appeare at eafe, and talke of in- 
 different Matters, and feeme to be under no 
 concerne that my Lord was there for a few 
 dayes or weekes. 
 
 Went to the 'Tower ; hard work to main- 
 taine a cheerefuU Countenance, fay rather to 
 keep up a cheerefull Heart, not much reall 
 gaine if there is the one and not the other. 
 
 Found Fanny returned from her Vifite : 
 ftiee doth looke fweetly, and nothing loth to 
 tell of all fhee hath feene and heard. Mrs. 
 Evelyn hath fhowne her moft kind and loving 
 Condefcention, and is a Gentlewoman of rare 
 Accomplifhment and amicable Difpofition, and 
 doeth all things that ftiee doth undertake ex- 
 cellently well. Mr. Evelyn is bufied with his 
 Alterations and Improvements at Sayes Court. 
 The Gardens, which he laid out two yeares 
 fince, are filled with thriving Plants, divers 
 fortes of Rofes and other rare and beautious 
 
 217 
 
 1655. 
 
 June 21, 
 Thurjday. 
 
 Auguft 25, 
 Saturday. 
 
2l8 
 
 1655. 
 
 Sept. 15, 
 Saturday. 
 
 From the Diary of 
 
 Flowers, more particularly fuch as are of plea- 
 fant Perfume and Fragrancy, for which he hath 
 peculiar liking. Alfo he cultivates fuch Herbes 
 as will fupplie Honie for his Bees, which he 
 doth keepe in a tranfparent Hive given to him 
 by Dr. JVilkinSy of Oxforde. Fanny omitted 
 no Partikilar, it is fo conftrufted, one upon 
 another, that the Honie can be taken without 
 the crueltie of deftroying the Bees : He made 
 her a Drawing of the Plan, and writt full and 
 plaine direftions for the Management of Bees. 
 Alfo did he, with condefcention and courtefie 
 provide for her Entertainment within doors, 
 (hewing her the arte of graving on Copper 
 Plates, and gave her a Print done by himfelfe 
 of his dear Wotton^ likewife his Picture en- 
 graved by a Sculptor at PariSy much like : 
 methought fhee did flightly blufti when fhee 
 fpoke of a Mr. Brereton^ a young Gentleman 
 held in greate efteeme by Mr. Evelyn: So 
 much to bee told of Sayes Courts defcription 
 of "Tunbridge Wells left for another time. 
 
 Mett Mr. Evelyn in the Fark to day, tooke 
 occafion to inquire fomewhat particularly of 
 his friend Mr. Brereton^ he did willingly enter 
 on the fubjedl. He is the Sonne of my Lord 
 Brevet on and hath lately come to England^ 
 
Lady Willoughby. 
 
 having beene at Breda for his Education fome 
 yeares, and is a very accomplifhed Gentleman; 
 his Father's Eftates are much involved through 
 the late Troubles, in affifting the King. 
 
 Met at Dinner, Mr. Pepys^ Mr. Evelyn^ and 
 the Lord Baltimore, who feemeth a Gentleman 
 of mofl: rare Excellence and Ability. Hee 
 difcourfed very agreeably, and gave the Com- 
 panie a long and full Hiftorie of the founding 
 of Maryland. He was now in London to peti- 
 tion the Prote5for to iflue an order to the 
 Governour of Virginia that there fhould be no 
 Interference on his part with the Government 
 of Maryland^ that Countrey having flourifht 
 beyond all others under the Laws and Regula- 
 tions he had inftituted. Hee had mett with a 
 courteous reception at Whitehall, 
 
 Went to the "Tower as ufuall, the Day bitter 
 cold : in the Evening fupped with my Daugh- 
 ter Winchelfea^ Mr, Brereton there. 
 
 This day all Minifters of the Church of 
 England forbidden Preaching and Teaching. 
 Thus while wee make colledion of Money to 
 aflift the Perfecuted in forreine Countreys; 
 the fpirrit of Perfecution burnes hotely in our 
 owne. 
 
 Yefterday Sir Robert Stone tooke us to fee 
 
 219 
 
 ^^ss- 
 
 Sept. 18, 
 Tuefday. 
 
 Nov. 9, 
 Friday. 
 
 Nov. 27, 
 Tuefday, 
 
 Dec. 13, 
 Thurjday. 
 
220 
 
 1655. 
 
 From the Diary of 
 
 Whitehall^\\QQ gained Admittance through fome | 
 fmall Acquaintance he had with Sir Oliver 
 Flemming Mafter of the Ceremonies : as wee 
 pafTed through a Roome called the Greene 
 Chamber wee were told it was there the late 
 King was permitted to retire with the Bi/hop ; 
 remaining there fome time private in order to 
 the receiving the Sacrament about an houre 
 or fo before his Execution : As wee did enter 
 the Gallerie wee faw divers Gentlemen paffing 
 out by another Doore, and learned that a Con- 
 ference had then ended : wee ftayed to looke 
 at the Pidlures, fome ftill remaining, alfo fome 
 fine Tapeftries in another Apartment which 
 wee did fee afterward, and fo it was that a 
 Doore at the other fide of the Gallerie was 
 throwne open ; Sir Oliver Flemming and others 
 flood in attendance, and prefently his HighneJJe 
 appeared engaged in Difcourfe with a man 
 fl;rangely apparelled and of remarkable Coun- 
 tenance, and wearing a long Beard ; wee kept 
 as much out of fight as wee could and were in 
 part concealed by a doore way : The Prote^or 
 advanced but a few Steppes along the Gallerie, 
 as it feemed, to conclude that which hee was 
 faying, then making a Salutation to him to 
 whom he fpake, hee retired whence he came. 
 
Lady Willoughby. 
 
 Meeting Sir Oliver ere wee left the Palace, hee 
 informed us that the Stranger in the forreine 
 Garbe whom wee had juft feene, was the Jewifh 
 Rabbi Menajfeh Ben Ifraely fent over from 
 Holland by the Jewes who defire Permiffion to 
 eftabhih fome of their Nation in this Countrey ; 
 a Councell was held this morning to confider 
 of their Propofitions, the Prote^or looketh 
 favorably on their Petition. 
 
 Had an opportunitie this day of gaining 
 fome further Information on the fubjeft of the 
 JeweSy it afFedted mee not a little in thinking 
 on our returne home from Whitehall^ that wee 
 had looked upon one of that defpifed People 
 the Rejedlors of the Meffiah and the Impre- 
 cators of the Curfe upon themfelves and upon 
 their Children : yet a People highly favored 
 by the Moft High. 
 
 It did happen that as I was fpeaking of the 
 circumftance of our feeing the Rabbi y one pre- 
 fent exprefled his Hope that the Jewes would 
 bee admitted into England. Dr. WilkinSy (of 
 Oxford^ anfwered him. Did he know that they 
 were for having St. Paul's for their Synagogue, 
 and the Bodleian Lil^rarie at Oxford to bee 
 given into their keeping. He had beene told 
 they had offered the Protestor 500,000 Pounds 
 
 221 
 
 1655. 
 
 Dec. 14, 
 
 Friday. 
 
222 
 
 From the Diary of 
 
 1655. 
 
 Dec. 25, 
 
 Tuejday. 
 
 if thefe two Points were yeilded, to which hee 
 was willing enough to agree, but others would 
 not. There was a Reafon whifpered about 
 that the Jewes were for making out the Pro- 
 te5for to bee the expeded Mejfiah ; and it was 
 knowne to not a few that fome Jewes had 
 beene fearching through the Librarie at Cam- 
 bridge for Bookes relating to Prophefies, and 
 afterwarde did goe downe to Huntingdon where 
 Cromwell was borne, to get knowledge of his 
 FamiHe and Anceftors ; but this was noifed 
 abroad, and it was thought prudent to difmifle 
 them the Countrey : thefe Jewes were from the 
 Levant^ but it is not unlikely that this hath 
 beene pleafing to the Prote5lor^ and made him 
 well difpofed to favor the Deputation from 
 Holland. I did liften with much attention to 
 all that was fayd, and have here put it downe, 
 as it feemeth to mee fomething wonderfull, 
 that the Jewes fhould hold this opinion of 
 Cromwell^ and likewife it is curious to fee the 
 hidden motive to Men's A6lions. 
 
 No Churches open : We heard there was 
 private Service in fome Families ; I went to a 
 Chappell near by. 
 
 Word early this morning from my Lord 
 Wincheljea that my Daughter was ailing. 
 
Lady Willoughby. 
 
 Went to the Tower^ tooke leave of my HuJ- 
 hand ; my deare Life ill at eafe, affedted with 
 Cold and fome Feaver, no doubt caufed by his 
 damp and miferable Lodging, and want of all 
 Comforts : The wretch Baxter ts^txh a Plea- 
 fure in treating his Prifoners defpitefully. 
 
 Found Die in prettie good Heart, and dif- 
 pofed to fleepe. 
 
 This afternoone my deare 'Daughter fafely 
 brought to bed ; returned heartfelt Thankes 
 to Almightie God ior this great Mercie : the In- 
 fant weakely, but with Care and good Nurfing 
 likely enough to live. 
 
 A fmile of peacefull Happinefle on my be- 
 loved Child's Face as fhee lay with the Babie 
 on her Arme, fuch as I have not feene there 
 for long. May fhee be reftored to Health, 
 and the little one be fpared to be a prefent Joy 
 and a Crowne of rejoycing to her latter dayes. 
 Her Sifters fcarce take their eyes oiF, or doe 
 anything but rocke the Cradle and watch Nurje. 
 Sent to the "Tower to gladden the Heart of the 
 poore Prifoner by the good tidings. 
 
 223 
 
 1655. 
 
 Dec. 29, 
 
 Saturday, 
 
224 
 
 From the Diary of 
 
 I65S-6. 
 
 Feb. II, 
 Monday. 
 
 
 1655-6. 
 
 ^^fi/^^Ent to the ^ower^ thence to call 
 ^w\ M^ at Mr. Evelyns Lodgings by 
 ^Cv/mJ^^ C(5i;d';// Garden^ where I did in- 
 ^jHwSM counter the unhappie Widow of 
 the Lord Capely her Daughter newly maried, 
 Ladie Beauchamp was alfo prefent ; a Gentle- 
 woman of gracefull Cariage, and feemingly of 
 fweet ingenuous Temper. Mention beeing 
 made of Dr. Peter HeylyUy Mr. Evelyn related 
 fome anecdotes of divers Frights and Difafters 
 which befell him in the late troublous Times ; 
 and the great lofTe he had in his Bookes, which 
 were all taken from him, and manie of them 
 fold by the Soldiers for a flagon of Ale. 
 Hee, on one occafion, when he left his Hiding- 
 place in the difguife of a poore wayfaring Man, 
 beeing mett by fome Soldiers, one of them 
 
Lady Willoughby. 
 
 laying hold of his Hand, felt a Ring under 
 his Glove, and fo did conclude him a runnaway 
 Cavalier ; but by a good Chance for him they 
 were diifturbed in the Robberie of this good 
 man, and miffed finding fome Peeces of Gold 
 he had hidde in his High Shooes. Of late 
 hee hath retired to a Farme (beeing filenced 
 preaching,) in Oxford/hire. Mrs. Evelyn read 
 fome Verfes of his, writt when hee was a Suitor 
 to the Ladie he did afterwarde marie, and pre- 
 fented to her with a rich gilded Bihle^ and I 
 admiring them, Mrs. Evelyn did lend them to 
 mee, that if I fo pleafed I might copie them, 
 and then returne them to her. This I have 
 done. 
 
 Thefe by Dr. Feter Heylin^ given with 
 a Bible. 
 
 Could this outfide beholden bee 
 To coft and cunning equally ; 
 
 Or were itjuch as might Juffice 
 "The luxurie of curious Eyes ; 
 
 Yet would I have my 'Deer eft looke 
 Not on the Cover y but the Booke. 
 
 If thou art meriCy here are Aires ; 
 If melancholic y here are Prayers : 
 
 225 
 
 1655-6. 
 
226 
 
 1655-6. 
 
 St. Valentine's 
 
 Day. 
 
 Feb. 14, 
 
 Tburfday. 
 
 From the Diary of 
 
 Ifjiudious^ here are thqfe things writ 
 Which may dejerve thy ableft Wit ; 
 
 If hungry^ here is Food Divine ; 
 If thirjiy, Ne5iar^ heavenly Wine. 
 
 Read then ^ but fir ft t hyf elf e 'prepare 
 
 Ho read with Zeale^ and marke with Care ; 
 
 And when thou readft what here is writt 
 Let thy heft Practice fecond it ; 
 
 So twice each Precept read Jhall bee^ 
 Firft in the Booke and next in Thee. 
 
 Much reading may thy Spirits wrong : 
 Refrefh them^ therefore^ with a Song : 
 
 And that thy Mujicke praije may merit e^ 
 Sing David's PJalms with David's Spirit ; 
 
 That as thy Voice doth pierce Men's EarSy 
 So Jhall thy Prayers and Vows the Spheres. 
 
 Thus ready thus ftngy and then to thee 
 The very Earth a Heaven fhall bee : 
 
 If thus thou readefty thou /halt find 
 A private Heaven within thy Minde : 
 
 Andfinging thus before thou diCy 
 
 Thoufingft thy part to thofe on High. 
 
 At an early Houre this morning a fmall 
 Packet was left by a ferving Man wearing a 
 
Lady Willoughby. 
 
 Liverie not knowne to Lydgate^ who tooke it 
 from him. It was addrefled to Miftrefs Frances 
 Willoughby ; Fanny received it with an abaflied 
 Countenance as her eye caught the writing of 
 the Superfcription, which Charadler did not 
 feeme altogether ftrange to her. Within the 
 outmoft paper was a Letter tied with filke. 
 She quickly handed it to mee to open, but I 
 would not fo difhonour St. Valentine^ and left 
 her to penetrate the Myfterie. The Cuftome 
 is in my minde a harmlefle one. Innocent in 
 beeing generally and in its poeticall and fancifuU 
 guife partaking fomewhat of the Ancient chi- 
 valrous Character: No doubt the Knight in 
 this little piece of Gallantrie, is a certaine 
 Gentleman whofe Attention will not be dif- 
 pleafing to the faire young Maiden ; who can 
 fay that ftiee will not fometime looke backe 
 upon this very Day with a mournefull Plea- 
 fure, but I will checke my penne, nor difturb 
 even in Imagination what is perhaps the firft 
 whifper of Love to her young Heart : it may 
 not bee fo, but I know not a more blefled 
 Reliefe to my concerne for this deare Child^ 
 than that no mariage Contract fhould be made 
 for hevy unfancftified by a fweet and holie Af- 
 fection. Cuftome hath led us wrong in this 
 
 227 
 
 1655-6. 
 
228 
 
 1655-6. 
 
 Feb. 22, 
 Friday. 
 
 March 4, 
 Tuejday. 
 
 From the Diary of 
 
 matter, in the difpofal of one dearely loved 
 Daughter J not fo fhall it againe : I have heard 
 fay that an overture of mariage was made by 
 my Lord Leicefter^ who did afke my hand for 
 his Sonne, Lord Lijle^ which was refpedfullie 
 declined by my honoured Father: I was of 
 tender Yeares ; and my Mother approved not 
 of engagements entered into for Parties in their 
 Childhood. 
 
 Yefternight the houfe of the Swedijh Am- 
 baflador was curioufly lighted up, painted tranf- 
 parent Papers were put into the Frames of the 
 Windowes, the glafle Panes beeing taken away, 
 and Candles were placed behind the Paintings. 
 In the Balcones on each fide of the Houfe 
 were Trumpets, 7 or 8 founded together: 
 The occafion of all this to celebrate the Birth 
 of the Swedijh Prince. 
 
 As I was prepared to fet forth to the Tower ^ 
 Word was brought me that my Daughter 
 Wincheljea was greatly alarmed about her 
 Bahiey which had beene fuddenly feized with 
 Convulfions in the night; though partly re- 
 covered, fhee did very earneftly intreat mee to 
 come to her; after my Returne from the 
 Towery I came hither and found the Child 
 better. 
 
Lady Willoughby. 
 
 To day the Child doth appeare well, fave 
 fome flight Indilpofition occafioned feemingly 
 by the difagreement of its Food, my Daughter 
 cheery, but no wonder fliee is foone alarmed. 
 
 The poore Babie feized with another Fitte 
 and fcarce could live through it ; the Mother 
 holdeth it in her Armes and will fufFer none 
 other to take it. 
 
 Againe hath the Lord vifited us with Af- 
 fli6tion, my little Grandchild breathed its lafl: 
 on Sunday night ; my Daughter's flate beeing 
 but weakely, and fliee worne out with Nurfing 
 and Anxietie of Heart, now lyeth dangeroufly 
 ill. 
 
 The Feavor increafing and her Senfes wander, 
 another Phyjition called in. 
 
 Still is there Hope as one of the Doftors 
 fayd to mee, there is no telling what the 
 Young will ftruggle through, but her Health 
 and Spirits have beene terribly fliaken ; my 
 Sijler hath taken away Fanny and Elizabeth^ 
 to bee out of the way of Infedlion ; my Hujband 
 hath many Feares for me, I am wonderfully 
 preferved from Apprehenfion, but to fatisfie 
 him take all the Precaution in my power, and 
 doe weare Bags of Camphire fewed into my 
 Drefl^e, and fmell oft at a fmall grated Box 
 
 229 
 
 1655-6. 
 
 March 5, 
 Wednejday. 
 
 March 7, 
 Friday* 
 
 March 11, 
 
 Tuejday, 
 
 March 14, 
 Friday. 
 
 March 15, 
 Saturday, 
 
230 
 
 1655-6. 
 
 March 
 Sunday, 
 
 March 19, 
 Wednejday. 
 
 March 20, 
 Tburjday, 
 
 March 22, 
 Saturday. 
 
 March 26, 
 Wednejday. 
 
 From the Diary of 
 
 one of the Phyfttions did give me, filled with 
 fome ftrongAromatique which fome do confider 
 a fure Prefervative. 
 
 The Doctors thinke fome Symptomes more 
 favourable : may the LordhhfSh their Endeav- 
 ours to reftore this deare Child. 
 
 Mr. Evelyn^ who hath great Ingenuity, fent 
 mee a night Lampe, made of a large lumpe of 
 Wax, which lighted and fet in a filver Bafon, 
 giveth out a very fmall Flame and lafteth 
 manie Nights. 
 
 Againe worfe; my Lord Wincheljea is for 
 having more Advice, but hath yeelded to our 
 opinion, that having already 5 Phyjitions^ and 
 thefe of moft Eminence, nothing would be 
 gained, but the rather Inconvenience by more. 
 
 To-day all Hope is given up, knew not 
 how to find Wordes to tell the fad Newes 
 to my poore Hujband; now indeed is the 
 bitternefle of our Separation fully experienced, 
 his 'Daughter dying, and he fhut up in Prifon. 
 
 At 5 o'Clocke yefterday Morning, my be- 
 loved Daughter Diana fell ajleepe in the 21ft 
 yeare of her Age, a fhort Life in which ihee 
 had paft through a deepe Baptifme ; God's will 
 be done. 
 
 Looked for the laft time on the deare 
 
Lady Willoughby. 
 
 Remaines; much broken in fplrit and very 
 forrowfull, yet I mourned not as one without 
 hope, and was enabled to attaine unto a good 
 degree of Compofure ere I turned away from 
 the fweete placid Countenance. Tooke from 
 between the leaves of my Bible a few withered 
 Flowers, and gently laid them on her Breaft : 
 kifled the peaceful Face of my beloved Child^ 
 and left the Chamber. As I foftly clofed the 
 Doore and felt that never more 
 
 Take up the Penne, but what can I fay ? 
 Lord^ I beleevey helpe thou mine unbeleefe. 
 Father y not my Will^ but Thine be done. 
 
 As the Hart panteth after the water-brooks^ 
 fo panteth my Soule after Thee^ O God. Beene 
 favoured to approach to fome Foretafte of this 
 Heavenly State, as I was led this morning in the 
 Solitude of my Clofet into deep Meditation on 
 the Holinefle and Perfedlion of the Divine 
 Being. My foule feemed readie to crie out. Do 
 with me as thou wilt, O God, to lead mee unto 
 thyfelfe : yet fo foone as the Prayer was uttered, 
 my poor fearfuU Nature trembled ; 'The Spirit 
 is willing^ but the Flejh is weake. Gracious 
 words from Him who was tried as wee are, yet 
 without Sinne. 
 
 My Daughter and pretty Grandchildren all 
 
 231 
 
 1656. 
 
 March 28, 
 Friday, 
 
 March 30, 
 Sunday. 
 
232 
 
 1656. 
 
 From the Diary of 
 
 taken ; I can truly fay, that for my precious 
 Child's fake I can rejoyce that fhee is removed 
 from this Life of Sorrow ; bereaved of her 
 fweet Children y and of the laft juft as fhee had 
 tafted once more of a Mother's joy, her over- 
 grieved Heart could no more fuftaine this 
 frefh Griefe, and ihee has followed them no 
 more to be feparated. 
 
 Mournefull is it to the more advanced in 
 Yeares, to fee the Young taken, the Infant of 
 a few dayes and the youthfull Mother^ whileft 
 the aged Pilgrim is left to defcend with feeble 
 Step into "T^he Valley of the Shadow of 'Death. 
 The Lord's will be done. May I more and 
 more ftrive to bee prepared to give an Account 
 of my Stewardfhip, whenfoever it may be his 
 will to fummon me hence. 
 
 It hath beene a time of deepe and tender 
 Exercife of Spirit as I kept watch by the Sicke 
 bed ; gracioufly vifited by fweet Tokens of the 
 Divine Prefence, and enabled to refigne this 
 precious Objed: of my Love and tender Solici- 
 tude, comforted to know that fhee had found 
 Chriji to be indeed the Way^ the "Truth^ and 
 the Life. There were but few Seafons of 
 ConfcioufnefTe and they fhort, as a Stupor 
 fucceeded to the Delirium ; once toward the 
 
Lady Willoughby. 
 
 laft fhee opened her eyes, and fixed them upon 
 mee with a pitiful! looke, and her Lippes 
 moved, but there was no articulate Sound, 
 poore Thing ! the Change to her is doubtlefle 
 a happie one, but to mee a heavie and grievous 
 Lofle, fhee was ever a dearely loved Child^ and 
 of late my Heart had beene drawne to her in 
 neare Sympathie in her many Trialls. Her 
 Sifters doe take this Sorrow much to Heart, 
 and weepe for her and the little Babe. 
 
 The Imprifonnement of my deare Hujband 
 becometh greatly wearifome to him. He doth 
 now often wifti that hee had not returned to 
 Englandy but had flayed to manage his Affaires 
 in Antigua^ faying to-day when the time drew 
 neare for mee to take my Leave, that hee 
 would more willingly bee feparated from us 
 by the wide Sea, than the thicke Walls of the 
 'Tower^ prevented the free ufe of his Limbs, 
 and denied the frefli Aire, and expofed to the 
 Infolence of the Governour. Beholding him 
 thus chafed, propofed to goe myfelfe to the 
 FrotetloVy and petition for his Releafe, but 
 this angered him mightily. Doe fuppofe it 
 is more difficult to Man's nature to be patient 
 than it is to us: Accuftomed to refift and 
 overcome Difficultie and Danger, it is a furprife 
 
 233 
 
 1656. 
 
 April 17, 
 Thurjday, 
 
234 
 
 1656. 
 
 April 21, 
 Monday. 
 
 From the Diary of 
 
 to them when it doth happen otherwife ; and 
 whatfoever they may fufFer, if like occafion 
 offer againe, feldome are they deterred from 
 the fame condud. At this time, beleeve my 
 Lord would, if hee were given his Libertie, 
 plunge into the firft Scheme that was contrived 
 as hopefull of SuccefTe, as though they had 
 never failed in Attempts which have hitherto 
 ended onely in Death or Captivitie : He did 
 urge upon mee to leave this wearie Citie ; 
 ^he Jweet Aire of Parham would better thy 
 Healthy deare Wife: this he fayd as he did 
 tenderly remarke on my pale and worne 
 Lookes, and my Haire turning graie. And yet 
 it will goe hard to 'part withjuch a loving Care- 
 taker ^ the onely deare Comfort I have. Would 
 not confent to leave London ; on the contrarie, 
 would defire to ftay with him altogether in the 
 Tower y but this hee will never heare mee fpeake 
 of. Reached my Lodging well nigh fpent. 
 
 Through the KindnefTe and Perfeverance of 
 our Friends, my Hufhand hath the Libertie of 
 the Tower allowed him : They have entered 
 into Securitie for him, and it is to be hoped his 
 Health will bee amended now that hee hath 
 fome fpace to take Exercife, and can breathe 
 the open Aire. 
 
Lady Willoughby. 
 
 Spent thefe few Dayes paft in the houfe, 
 beeing under the neceflitie of taking fome reft. 
 Looked over fome Papers of my poore 'Daugh- 
 ter which my Lord Wincheljea hath forwarded 
 to mee, they did confift chiefly of Letters, 
 and of thefe not manie : one Paper carefully 
 folded contained fome Verfes of Fanny s^ which 
 I have copied before giving them backe to her 
 keeping. 
 
 On hearing of the Deceafe of my 
 
 deare Sifter s Babie^ and given 
 
 to her by mee. 
 
 Through the white covering of its Bed 
 The Snow-drop lifteth up its Heady 
 Though fraile it looke^ it enters Life 
 Bravely to be are the winterie ftrife ; 
 While the morejweet and tender Flower ^ 
 Tranfplanted from its native Bower ^ 
 And balmy Aire^ andfunnie Skies ^ 
 Droops its fair e Forme ^ and fades and dyes. 
 So thisfweete Babie bloomed awhile^ 
 Andfmiled to meete its Mother's fmiky 
 Then for its home in Heaven did pine y 
 And Death unloofed life's filver Line ; 
 
 235 
 
 1656. 
 
 May 2, 
 
 Friday. 
 
236 
 
 1656. 
 
 May 12, 
 Monday, 
 
 From the Diary of 
 
 On joy full wings the Spirit fled ^ 
 Her name recorded with the Dead. 
 
 Frances Willoughhy. 
 At Parham, 
 April 10, 1654. 
 
 On the night when my deare Daughter fell 
 ill of that fatall Sicknefle, as wee tooke off her 
 Cloathes, I found a fmall Packet or cafe of 
 white Satin worne concealed by her Neck ker~ 
 chefe, I put it carefully afide at the time, and 
 opening it fome fewe dayes after her Deceafe, 
 did find within the lafte fold a filken Locke 
 of pale browne Haire, on the Satin was worked 
 in Gold Thread the letter Hy and the date of 
 the yeare, 1654: Her darling Heneage^ the 
 firft borne and the firft laid in the Grave, 
 foone tp bee followed by his little Sifler ; not 
 long, 'and another Infant refted its head on its 
 Mother's bofome, this was taken, and now the 
 Mother's Triall was over, and fhee too was 
 laid befide them. 
 
 Sonnet by my Daughter Fanny. 
 
 This/mail but coftlie Cafket^ rich inlay ed 
 With Gems and Ivorie^ with Carvings fine 
 
Lady Willoughby. 
 
 Of Sandel-woody its Ebonne fides to Itne^ 
 Whence a fweet Odour doth the whole pervade ; 
 
 Sofweet is ity that all things therein laid 
 
 When drawne at times from forth their Jcented 
 
 Shrine 
 'Do ever heare with them this breathing Signe 
 That they have dwelt within its perfumed 
 fhade. 
 
 So when the pious and all lowly Heart 
 
 A trefure Houfe is kept wherein doth dwell 
 The love of God with mojl deare Confiancie^ 
 
 To every word and deed it doth impart 
 A Vertue and a gracious Fragrancie 
 Which doth to all its hidden worfhip tell. 
 
 Thefe Verfes are to my thinking pretily 
 written, this perhaps not furprifing as we are 
 readie to make much account of what our Chil- 
 dren do, but yet more is it pleafing to me to 
 fee her Fancy thus difporte itfelfe, drawing 
 good from the little Accidents of Life : when 
 I did exprefle to her this Satisfaction, fhee re- 
 i plied that herein fhee had no Merit, fliee had 
 : been favoured one day, as indeed not feldome 
 ! is our priviledge to enjoy the edifying Difcourfe 
 I of a pious and deare Friend, who did at that 
 i time as at many others very feelingly enlarge 
 
 ^37 
 
 1656. 
 
238 
 
 1656. 
 
 Sept. 14. 
 
 From the Diary of 
 
 on the indwelling of the Holy Sprit and its 
 worke of Regeneration and Sandification 
 wrought in the Heart, the while hee fpake, 
 her eye refted on the little Indian perfume Box, 
 given to her by our young friend Mr. Brere- 
 tofiy which flood neare her on the Table ; and 
 as fhee pondered in filence on the Wordes fhee 
 had heard, her Thoughts did thus drefle them- 
 felves. Shee hath a great liking for the Sonnet 
 and can repeat by heart many of the mofl; per- 
 fedt writt in our language, alfo this tafte hath 
 beene encreafed by her ftudie of the Italian ; 
 with fome difficulty I did gain her Permiflion 
 to fhow the Poem to him whom I may call the 
 Sower of the good Seed, who doth hold her in 
 his afFedionate regard, beleeving that he would 
 receive fome Satisfaction in the perufal. Of 
 this Shepheard of the Lord's fold it may bee 
 fayd of him in the exercife of his Miniflry, 
 that, in the Wordes of the Pfalmifl, He feedeth 
 them according to the integritie of his Heart. 
 
 Sir Henry Vane is fent Prifoner to Carrif- 
 brooke Cajile ; whence this Severitie of the Fro- 
 tt5lor to one who hath ufed to fland high in 
 his Efleeme and hath done him fervice is not 
 well knowne : fome mention is there of a Booke 
 he hath written. 
 
Lady Willoughby. 
 
 Went with Mr. Evelyn and his Wife downe 
 to Tunbridge, and remained there two dayes : 
 there is much building of Houfes for the 
 Lodging of Strangers, and for Shops. I have 
 heard fay that when the ^een reforted thither 
 for the improvement of her Health after the 
 birth of the Prince y fhe was Lodged in Tents 
 (ttt upp for her on the Down ; as the Wells 
 became more frequented, the people fet up 
 Standings under the row of Trees in the road 
 to the Well, where they fold their Goods to 
 the Companye who pafled bye. We lodged 
 at a pretie Cottage clofe by the Well : one 
 morning as wee walked under fome fine Trees, 
 whofe Leaves were beginning to fade, Mr. 
 Evelyn^ who hath wonderful knowledge of 
 mofte things but efpeciallye of Trees, did point 
 out to mee the new Budde at the foot of the 
 Leafe Stalke, which by its groweth takes up 
 the fappe, and thus the old Leafe doth lofe its 
 nouriftiment and fades and drops off; fo that 
 inftead of pitying the Trees when they are 
 lofing their Leaves, wee fhould fee it only as 
 the preparation for Spring, and a frefher Ver- 
 dure. Neverthelefle Autumn hath a pleafing 
 fadnefle in its leflbn of Change and Death. 
 
 At Table one prefentgaveus this Anecdote of 
 
 239 
 
 1656. 
 
 Odlober 2, 
 Thurfday, 
 
240 
 
 1656. 
 
 Oftober 6, 
 Monday, 
 
 Oaober 7, 
 Tuefday, 
 
 Odlober 27, 
 Monday. 
 
 Oaober 28, 
 Tuefday* 
 
 From the Diary of 
 
 Sir Henry Wotton : Hee being in a Popifli 
 Chappel, a Prieft that knew him fent a Paper 
 to him with this Query, Where was your Re- 
 ligion before Luther? under which he writt 
 thefe words. Where yours is noty in the written 
 Word of God, 
 
 Mrs. Evelyn tooke us with her to Pall- Mall. 
 Choccolate was handed to the Companie in 
 Cups of fine Porcelain, and rare fweetmeats 
 and Italian Bifketts : The Lady Ranelagh was 
 there on a vifite, fhe mett me courteoufly, and 
 was pleafed to fay that her Brother Mr. Robert 
 Boyle would regret not feeing mee. 
 
 The Petition for leave to go to Surinam of 
 no availe. 
 
 Have remained in the T*ower fince this day 
 fenight to attend on my deareft Lifey who hath 
 beene grievoufly ill, he is now better and hath 
 walked out twice or thrice. 
 
 As we were at Dinner to day my Lord fayd 
 he beleaved wee were in the fame Roome 
 wherein Sir John Eliot was imprifoned for fo 
 long and died, I afked who was hee ? He an- 
 fwered that hee was one of the firft to fuiFer 
 when differences began betweene the late King 
 and his Parliament^ one of feveral Members 
 that were fent to the Tower y to bee out of his 
 
Lady Willoughby. 
 
 (the Kings) way ; He was of a right noble 
 Spirit, and rather than accept the Conditions 
 ofFered which hee deemed difhonourable, re- 
 mained in Prifon, to die a lingering Death 
 from Difeafe brought on by his long Captivitie. 
 / was a Touthy faid my Hufband, at that timey 
 nigh 30 yers ftncBy he was much talked about , 
 and I am beholden to him, for the firji Jiirrings 
 in my Heart of a hatred of Tyranniey ill enough 
 he would thinke I have followed his Example. 
 Mr. Hampden knew him well and did honour 
 and ejleeme him beyond any other Man^ and after 
 his Death was a Father to his Sonnes : In 
 Countenance he was thought by fome to bee like 
 the King ; his Haire and Beard he wore in like 
 fafhion. 
 
 So ill to day feare I can conceale it no longer, 
 as Captain Butler ^ who dined with us, queftioned 
 mee, and fo fixed my Hufhand's attention more 
 on my Lookes, who had at divers times ob- 
 ferved the Palenefle of my Countenance, and 
 that I could with difficultie keepe any Warmth 
 I in mee. 
 
 Became fo ill I was like to give up. Some 
 gold peices given to Serjeant Dendy had their 
 effeft, and the ufe of an inner Roome was 
 permitted us; and, with his wifes helpe, a 
 
 241 
 
 1656. 
 
 Nov. z8, 
 Friday. 
 
 Dec. 4, 
 Thurjday, 
 
242 
 
 1656. 
 
 Dec. 6, 
 
 Saturday. 
 
 From the Diary of 
 
 Bed, fo called, was made up therein ; a darke 
 miferable place, but I was thankefuU for the 
 Privacie, and this Woman, who was kindly 
 difpofed and forry for my Condition, did fuch 
 little Services ftiee could without danger of 
 obfervation: My Hujband hath profitted by 
 his owne lUnefle, in fome particulars, to my 
 advantage ; efpecially was hee very alive to 
 the Diftrefle occafioned by Thirft, and failed 
 not to bring a Cup of Water every time he 
 came to my Bedfide. 
 
 To-day Capt. Butler did come to fee my 
 Hufbandy and did ufe manie Arguments to 
 perfwade mee to come out from the "Tower ; 
 but I am the more bent upon flaying with my 
 Hujband now that I know better than I did 
 once what this Imprifonment is ; and if to me, 
 who have beene here but a few Weekes, it is 
 fo miferable, what muft it bee to him who hath 
 beene fhut up thefe 1 8 Months ? Capt. Butler 
 did then take a lead Penne and a peece of 
 writing Paper, and wrote. I retired to reft, 
 and on my returne, my Lord fhewed mee a 
 Letter, and did requeft me to make a Copie 
 thereof. 
 
Lady Willoughby. 
 
 To the Lord Prote^or. 
 
 May it pleafe your Highnejfe^ 
 
 The lafl: T^hurjday I was invited to Dinner 
 with my Lord Willoughby^ whofe Ladie is 
 defperately ficke ; fhee will not be perfuaded 
 to remove from her Hujbandy which makes 
 mee moft humbly requeft your HighneJJe^ if 
 his Offence be not great, to grant him the 
 libertie to remove to Sir Robert Stone s 
 Houfe in "I^uttle Street. Thus much I 
 know, that hee is much in Debt, & would 
 willingly goe fettle either in Antigo or 
 Surinam. As for his Ladie, fhee was a 
 great friend to the caufe of Libertie and 
 true Religion, and it is pofTible things may 
 bee mifinterpreted to your Highnejfe con- 
 cerning her Hujband. In this Clemencie of 
 your Highnejfe will appear the conquefl of 
 your PafTion, which after all my fadneffe 
 fhall oblige mee to remaine 
 Your Highnejfe' s 
 
 mofl humble Servant, 
 though mofl unworthie, 
 
 Gregorie Butler. 
 Dec. 6, 1656. 
 
 243 
 
 1656. 
 
 This copy 
 
 flightly differs 
 
 from that pre- 
 
 ferved in 
 
 Thurlow's 
 
 State Papers. 
 
 Ed. 
 
244 
 
 1656. 
 
 Dec. 16, 
 TueJcUy. 
 
 Dec. 29, 
 Monday, 
 
 From the Diary of 
 
 We heard nothing from Mr. Butler till this 
 Day, when hee came he had received a fliort 
 Replie from Mr. Secretary "Hhurlowe to this 
 purpofe, that His Highneffe had knowne the 
 Lord Willoughhy many Yeares, and that it was 
 through no Mifreprefentation that the faid 
 Lord found himfelfe in his prefent Situation : 
 the Inconveniencie thereof it refted not with 
 him to amend. We had encouraged no great 
 Expeftation, fo were not difappointed, never- 
 thelefle, a fmall dofe of Patience was fervice- 
 able. 
 
 Heare with concerne that Doftor Jeremy 
 Baylor is fent to the Tower ; this on fo fmall 
 an Offence as a Pidture beeing fet in his Prayer 
 Booke. Letter from Fanny to fay my Prefence 
 is greatly wanted, her Sifter no better, fo have 
 fixed, beleaving it my Duty, to leave this 
 place, which I can do the more eafily, as my 
 deare Life is well recovered. 
 
Lady Willoughby. 
 
 1657. 
 
 T hath beene expedted by fome 
 that the Prote^or would have 
 himfelfe crowned King^ but it 
 having beene propofed in the 
 Hou/e that a Petition fhould be drawne up, to 
 the eiFeft that they did advife him to take upon 
 himfelfe the Title of Kingy as more confonant 
 to the good of the State and a fettled Govern- 
 ment, manie were againft it, and of thefe his 
 oldefl: Friends; there not beeing the Unani- 
 mitie and Support from thefe hee had looked 
 for, he hath declined the Honour that fome 
 would put upon him; fome, no Friends to 
 him, have had their Hopes raifed by the 
 Attempt; once the tide fet in for RoyakiCy 
 they thinke the Heart of the People would 
 foone return to its true Allegiance, and the 
 
 24s 
 
 1657. 
 
 May x6, 
 Saturday, 
 
246 
 
 1657. 
 
 July 3> 
 
 Friday, 
 
 From the Diary of 
 
 Reftoration of the rightfull King bee the fooner 
 brought about; and If Adverfitle hath had 
 its proper ufe, the Sonne might be expedled not 
 unreafonably to bee a better King than his 
 Father^ whom men have pitied fo much for 
 his Death that his 111 Government is well nigh 
 forgotten, and fome who were the firft to take 
 up Armes in the caufe of the People, thinke 
 themfelves not much better off. 
 
 A great ftirre made in London laft Friday at 
 the Ceremonie of the Inauguration, which was 
 performed with the State and Pompe of the 
 Crowning of a King. A rich Cloath of State 
 was fet up in Weftminfter Hall^ and underneath 
 it a Chair of State up two Steppes covered with 
 Carpets. The Prote^or firft pafled fome Bills 
 in Parliamenty and then hee went into TVeJi- 
 minfter Hally attended by Gentlemen and 
 Heraulds and Officers; The Earle of JVar- 
 wicke carrying the Sword before him ; The 
 Speaker prefented to him a Robe of Purple 
 Velvet lined with Ermine, which was put upon 
 him, then he gave him a Bible, and the Sword 
 was girded on, a Sceptre of Gold given into 
 his hand, and a Speech was made to him, and 
 the Oath given him ; Then were great Shouts 
 and the Trumpets founded, and he fate him- 
 
Lady Willoiighby. 
 
 felfe downe in the Chair of State, holding the 
 Sceptre in his hand. A Herauld proclaimed 
 his "Title; The Ceremonie being ended hee 
 went to his Coach, his Traine borne by Mr. 
 Rich and other young Nobilitie, fo hee hath 
 done his beft to come as near to a King/hip as 
 might bee. 
 
 There is publicke Advertifement of a Coach 
 drawne by fix Horfes to fett out from Alder/- 
 gate London^ every Monday to Weji-Chejier^ 
 alfo the fame to returne every Monday from 
 Chejier ; likewife a Coach and fix every Monday 
 to Tork^ a great convenience to Travellers. 
 
 We heare to day that the Ladie Maryy as 
 fhee is ftyled, is maried to my Lord Falconbergy 
 and her Sifter was maried laft weeke to Mr. 
 Richy Grandfonne to the Earle of Warwick: 
 much worldly Wifdome in his Highnejfe in 
 procuring thefe Alliances with men of fome 
 ranke for his Familie. 
 
 Now is there to bee a new Houfe of Lords ; 
 Writts are iflued to divers Perfons to fit as 
 Members in the other Houfe : wee heare it not 
 called the Houfe of Peers, It is remarked on 
 this fteppe backe to the old Inftitutions, that 
 if the Prote^for ftand in need of the LordSy it 
 is like that it will not be long before wee muft 
 
 247 
 
 ^^S7' 
 
 Nov. 24. 
 
 Dec. IS. 
 
248 
 
 1657. 
 
 Dec. 16, 
 
 Wednejday, 
 
 Dec. 20, 
 
 Sunday* 
 
 From the Diary of 
 
 have a King^ and it is thought hee aimes at 
 this Dignitie. 
 
 Find Helpe and Comfort in the habit of 
 ejaculatorie Praier, fince it is difficult in my 
 prefent hurried way of life to keepe to my 
 ufuall Seafons of retirement during the day : 
 yet doe I ftrive not to lofe hold of my De- 
 pendence upon Divine Helpe : and fo even in 
 Companie or in a Coach, or however occupied, 
 am more content if my Soule hath beene en- 
 gaged in a fhort Prayer or Thankfgiving ; or 
 if this much is not attained unto, I indeavour 
 to coUedl my Thoughts, by faying over a Verfe 
 or Text that may be applyable to the Bufinefle 
 wherein I may bee engaged: feele humbled 
 that the cares and vanities of the World take 
 up fo much of my time, praie for deliverance 
 from Temptation to Evill, and to be preferved 
 from the more hidden Sinne, the felfe righteous 
 fpirit of the Pharifeey into which the open 
 wickednefle of others doth oft prove a fnare 
 to poore weake human Nature ; of myfelfe I 
 can do nothing, and may the Faith of St. Paul 
 enable me to faie with him, / can doe all things 
 through Chriji who ftrengtheneth me. 
 
 Later than ufuall when I arrived at the 
 "Tower: the driving to keepe a cheerefull 
 
Lady Willoughby. 
 
 Countenance, and to lighten the Hardfhips of 
 this long Imprifonment, is beginning to afFed 
 my Health : to day my Heart was full, and I 
 gave way, on firft meeting my deare Hujband's 
 embrace, and hidde my Face on his Shoulder, 
 unable to controll my Teares. My poore Wife^ 
 thou art worne out^ he fayd tenderlie, but cheere 
 upy Love^ wee will have a merrie ChrifimaJJe 
 yet. It was very fweet to bee comforted by 
 him, even in a Prifon. When the time came 
 that I was to leave, he confented to take into 
 Confideration what I had urged more than 
 once, that I fhould petition the Protestor in 
 perfon. 
 
 Yefterday Mr. Evelyn and his JVife came to 
 London^ to celebrate ChriJtmaJJe-day^ and did 
 prevaile with mee to goe with them to Exeter 
 Chapell. Mr. Gunning preached on 7 Micahy 
 2 verfe. The Sermon ended he did proceed 
 to adminifter the Holie Sacrament^ it was then 
 difcovered that the Chappell was furrounded 
 with Soldiers ; they held their Mufketts againft 
 us, to the no fmall feare of fome prefent, yet 
 did they not prevent our going up to the 
 Altar, After the Service was finifhed, thofe 
 prefent were made Prifoners, and fome carried 
 away. We were of thofe who did remaine at 
 
 249 
 
 1657* 
 
 Dec. 26, 
 
 Saturday, 
 
2CO 
 
 1657. 
 
 From the Diary of 
 
 the Houfe. Mr. Evelyn did afterward informe 
 us^ that after Dinner^ of which he was invited 
 to partake. Officers from Whitehall came to 
 examine the Prifoners : they queftioned Mr. 
 Evelyn why, contrarie to the ordinance made 
 that the fuperftitious Celebration of the Nati- 
 vitie fhould no longer bee obferved, hee durft 
 fo offend and bee at Common Praiers, which 
 they called Majfe in Engli/h; fo, after much 
 irreverent fpeaking of this day, and con- 
 tumelioufly treating him, they let him goe, 
 content with making this vaine fhow of their 
 Authoritie. 
 
Liudy Willoughby. 
 
 1657.8. 
 
 Y Lord Lijle hath fixed to take 
 mee to Whitehall to morrow at 
 noone ; hee did as much as in 
 him lay to give mee Incourage- 
 ment : felt that the greateft would have beene 
 the more heartie Confent of my Hujhand to 
 this Courfe : if fo bee it faile, the having fol- 
 lowed my owne Judgement in putting the 
 matter to this Iflue, will adde to my trouble^ 
 but this I humbly hope I am prepared to 
 beare ; it feemeth cleare to my Minde that we 
 ought not to omitt doing that which on due 
 Confideration and impartially weighing of the 
 fubjedl appeareth to us right, becaufe the Event 
 may hereafter prove us to have misjudged : if 
 wee may not doe Evill that Good may come 
 of it, fo wee may not leave undone the Good, 
 
 25^ 
 
 1657.8. 
 
 January 7. 
 
252 
 
 1657-8. 
 
 January 8, 
 Friday. 
 
 From the Diary of 
 
 becaufe It may end in Evill ; elfe wee fhould 
 fit downe with our Hands before us, and op- 
 portunities of A(5lion Aide paft us, not to bee 
 recalled. 
 
 Set forth in a good degree of outward Com- 
 pofure, and not without an inward Strengthen- 
 ing which did greatly fupport mee ; neverthe- 
 lefle, when wee flopped at Whitehall^ I had 
 much need of my Lord Lijle's arme. When 
 wee entered the Roome, the Prote^or fate at a 
 Table whereon were Papers and Letters. One 
 or two Gentlemen were in attendance, whom 
 hee did difmifle, and then rofe. My Lord 
 Lijle fpake a few Wordes and ledde me to- 
 wards him: He bowed as I advanced, with 
 the Petition held in my hand, and prefented it 
 to him ; he tooke it, and motioned to mee to 
 be feated. I was faine to obey him through 
 Weaknefle, elfe would it have better pleafed 
 mee not to accept even this fmall Courtifie at 
 his hands. He glanced at the Paper and then 
 fpake: The Lord Willoughby doth intreat his 
 Enlargement in a more humble tone it Jeems^ as 
 does better fuit his Condition^ and doth no longer 
 talke high of Injujlice and the like: it is well; 
 He is one who^ having Jet his hand to the Ploughy 
 hath turned backe^ and concerning fuch is it not 
 
Lady Willoughby. 
 
 Jayd they are accurfed? what fay eth the Spirrit 
 to the Laodiceans? For that thou art neither 
 cold nor hoty I will/pew thee out of my Mouth. 
 He went on in this manner for fome time, and 
 then fayd, / doe perceave my Lord Willoughby 
 giveth us his word that ^ Jo hee may bee allowed 
 to goe forth for a /pace ^ to attend to the needfull 
 Settlement of his Affaires^ he will returne to his 
 Impri/onment. But how expe5leth hee to bee 
 beleeved ; Who fhall put their trujl in/uch as 
 he ? Hereat I fpake with fome warmth. May 
 I reminde your HighnefTe that you fpeake to the 
 Lord Willoughby's JVife^ and ill would it be- 
 come her to hearefuch TVordes unmoved, I crave 
 your HighnefTe's^^r^^i?;/, but meethinks no A5i of 
 my Lorde doth warrant any Man^ much lejjeyour 
 HighnefTe, to doubt his Honour. Tou fhall judge 
 jV^^r/^^^„ Madam, he replied; thereupon hee 
 turned to a Cabinet that was neare to him, and 
 tooke out fome Papers ; from thefe hee did feledt 
 two Letters, one of thefe hee unfolded and 
 aflced mee did I know the writing ? I could not 
 denie that I did ; there was no fignature, and 
 the latter part was in Cyphers. That is not the 
 onely one^ he continued, and opened another, 
 and gave it mee, dated but two months backe : 
 His Highneffe did then commence a Difcourfe, 
 
 1657-8. 
 
254 
 
 1657-8. 
 
 From the Diary of 
 
 if fo it could be called, feeming rather a fome- 
 what confufed utterance of his Thoughts ; 
 quoting fundrie Texts of Scripture, which he 
 did interfperfe with talke of Governement, 
 High-treafon, and fo forth: of fome men 
 beeing forced againfl: their Will, to rule the 
 State, though forely opprefled by the Burthen: 
 this feemingly addrefled to other ears than 
 mine ; after a while hee paufed, and I againe 
 fpoke fome thing in this manner, that I did 
 conceeve a Prifoner and one illegally made fo, 
 had a full right to ufe any means in his power 
 to efcape, and to engage his Friends in his 
 behalf. As he reply ed not, I further fayd. 
 If your Highnefle cafiyour eyebacke afewyeares^ 
 it would be Jeene that the Lord Willoughby 
 did /how as true concernment for the Liber tie of 
 the Nation^ as others who were then Jiriving 
 onely to obtaine this Jujiice for the People ; That 
 hee beleeveing that howfoever righteous a Caufe 
 might beCy that it would not Jan^ifie un-righteous 
 MeaneSy and for ejeeing great Evill and Confufion^ 
 did flop fhort in the Worke, was no difhonour to 
 him as a Chrijlian or a Gentleman, As to High 
 Treafony itpajfeth my poor e abilitie to comprehend 
 what doth make High Treafony feeing it changeth 
 fides with the ftrongefty and is the Crime of the 
 
Lady Willoughby. 
 
 255 
 
 Oppreffed reftfttng the OppreJJor. I marvell that 
 I fpake fo boldly. So I arofe and fayd. Since 
 Tour Highnefle Jetteth at nought my Lord's 
 JVordy your HighnefTe's Anjwer will bee beft 
 tranjmitted through your Secretaries a Wife's 
 Lippes repeat e not Words ofjuch indignitie to her 
 Hufband, / begge your Highnefle's leave to 
 withdraw. To my furprife he did detain mee, 
 and queftioned mee on fome indifferent and 
 trifling Matters, as it appeared to mee, then 
 of a fudden changed his Tone, faying, Who 
 can find a vertuous Woman? her Price is far 
 above Rubies ^ the Heart of her Hufband doth 
 fafely trufi in her. Madam^ we doe accept my 
 Lord Willoughby's Termes^ holding his Wife's 
 truth as his hoftage^ his Petition fhall be laid be- 
 fore the CouncilL So ended the Interview, and 
 I hafted to the Tower. It is rumoured that 
 the ProteBor Is greatly defirous that the old 
 Peeres fhould come to his new Houje of Lords ; 
 hence his wifh to conciliate in fome Quarters. 
 His Lookes are not thofe of one at eafe in his 
 Pofition, his Face was worne and cafl-downe, 
 and I obferved an anxious manner of lifl:ening to 
 any Sound, and once at a fudden movement of 
 my Lord Lifie^ he fl:arted and looked behind 
 him, feeming as though hee would have put 
 
 1657-8. 
 
256 
 
 I6S7-8. 
 
 Jan. 9, 
 
 Saturday. 
 
 From the Diary of 
 
 his Hand on the PiftoUs which were befide 
 him, but checked himfelfe ; doe compaflionate 
 him, as one who hath felt himfelfe called to a 
 mightie Worke, the Iflues whereof have beene 
 too mightie for his Guidance, and too full of 
 Temptation and Confli6l for his Peace. Many- 
 do fay of him, that never was there a man of 
 fb great Courage and Abilitie to lead others. 
 With Power have come Pride and Selfe- 
 exaltation, and thefe have brought Crueltie, 
 and Injuftice : but who am I that I fhould 
 judge him, or fpeake of events above my 
 Knowledge and Place ; Let mee be thankfull 
 for the profped of the fpeedie Releafe of my 
 beloved Hujband from his long Imprifonment. 
 Tooke a Coach and went to Wejlmtnftery 
 and waited at my Kinfman's till a Friend came 
 in from the Houfey and brought me the comfort- 
 ing Newes that an Order had been paff'd that 
 the Lord Willoughiy of Parham fhall be dif- 
 charg'd of his Imprifonment, upon his Honour, 
 and upon the Engagement in 10 Thoufand 
 Pounds of his Friends, that hee fhall peaceably 
 demeane himfelfe for the future, and fhall not 
 join with or have any Correfpondence with any 
 Enemies of the Lord Prote^or &c. Wednefday 
 the loth of January appointed for the Prifoner 
 
Lady Willoughby. 
 
 '^Sl 
 
 to bee brought to tht Bar ofth^Houfe; JVilliam 
 Willoughby tooke word to the Tower ^ the while 
 I went with Fanny to looke for another and 
 more commodious Lodging, that we now have, 
 not being fuitable to my Lord, Found one 
 in ^een Street^ handfomely furniflied and pro- 
 vided, the People of the houfe civillie inclined. 
 
 My deare Life in excellent fpirits, and divers 
 of our Friends came to fuppe with us ; did, 
 by mutuall confent, fpeake little of either King 
 or Prote5lor^ this being fo joy full an occafion. 
 
 The Houfe of Commons met this day, as alfo 
 the new Houje of Lords ; none of the old, fave 
 one or two, would fit with this medley of per- 
 fons fummoned by the Protestor, Even the 
 Earl of Warwick kept out of the way. It is 
 fayd the Protestor is greatly caft downe in 
 private, and is at his Wits' end for Money. 
 Truely, this hath an aire of Royaltie. 
 
 Find wee cannot leave London at prefent. 
 Our excellent friend Mr. Evelyn hath not been j 
 abroad of late, by reafon of the illnefle of his 
 Son Richard^ who hath the Ague ; Fanny is in 
 much concerne for him, fhee hath oft defcribed 
 him as a Child of rare beautie and endowment. 
 
 Arrived a meflage from Sayes Court. The 
 poore Child died yefter-day. 
 
 1657.8. 
 
 Jan. 12, 
 
 Tuejday. 
 
 Jan. 20, 
 Wedmjday, 
 
 January 28, 
 Thurjday. 
 
258 
 
 1657-8. 
 Feb. 5. 
 
 From the Diary of 
 
 Great fenfation caufed by the fudden, and 
 moft unexpefted, diflblving of Parliaments they 
 having fate but a Fortnight. The Prote5lor 
 hath mett with vexatious Oppofition in the 
 Houje of Commons y who take no account of the 
 upper Houfe which hee hath lately raifed up ; 
 and it is fuppofed that this, and fome private 
 caufe of Difpleafure, and fecret Information of 
 the Royalijis movements, did fo worke on him, 
 hee beeing alfo ill in Health, that in fome fud- 
 den heat and diftemperature, hee hurried to the 
 Houje^ waiting not for his Carriage, but, calling 
 his Guards, tooke a Coach {landing neare 
 Whitehall^ and fo went downe, and fent for 
 the Commons^ who adjourning their Bufineflc 
 did follow the Ufher into his prefence. He 
 accufed them of fome being leagued with 
 Charles Stuart^ and others of difturbing the 
 People with a talke of devifing the Common- 
 wealth anew, and fo falling off from their 
 former Advice and Petition to him ; feeing this 
 to bee the end of their fitting, he did diffolve 
 that Parliament. Thefe Particulars I have 
 thought it worth while here to fett downe, as I 
 did hear them given yefter-night to my Lord 
 by one prefent. During the day, many coming 
 and going. Came to dine with us, my Lord 
 
Lady Willoughby. 
 
 Baltimore; a lively Difcourfe was carried on, 
 the Converfation turned chiefely to the ftate of 
 the Colonies^ a fubjeft of intereft to my Huf- 
 band; and my Lord Baltimore entered into a 
 more particular Relation of the early Settle- 
 ment of Maryland by his Father, Sir George 
 Calvert, who did confider that entire libertie of 
 Confcience in matters of Religion, was the true 
 foundation of Profperity and HappinefTe of a 
 People, and did make Laws to this eiFed : that 
 no one in his Colony fhould be hindered or 
 molefted in the exercife of his Religion. This 
 liberality of Sentiment the more commendable 
 in him, that he was a Papiji. And fo it was 
 that his Colony did flourifli exceedingly for 
 fome years. But of late it has fallen into the 
 hands of others, under this prefent Government, 
 who have excluded all Roman Catholicks from 
 the benefit of the wife and benevolent Laws of 
 their Founder, and brought Difcord and Strife 
 into the Settlement. So it feemeth the Saviour's 
 words muft come to pafs, and men make his 
 Religion of Love a caufe of Hatred and Un- 
 charitablenefle. Will it ever be on Earth that 
 the Tree of Life fliall fpread forth its Branches, 
 and its Leaves be for the healing of the Nations ? 
 My Lord Brereton hath writt to my Hufhand 
 
 259 
 
 1657.8. 
 
 Feb. 15, 
 
 Monday, 
 
26o 
 
 i6s7-8. 
 
 Feb. 17, 
 Wtdnejday. 
 
 From the Diary of 
 
 at the requeft of his Sonne ; the Engagement 
 of the young People hath beene fo informally 
 entered into, that we felt it to bee our Dutie 
 to requeft fome explanation. Mr. Brereton did 
 unadvifedly yield himfelfe to the Captivation 
 of our incomparable Daughter^ fo doth his 
 Father ftyle her, unmindfuU of the Confe- 
 quence, and hath by fweet intelligence of 
 Lookes, and more fweet muficke of low drop- 
 ping Wordes, and interchange of Thought in 
 all deare Friendfhip and pure AiFedlion, fo 
 tuned her Heart to his, that either apart know- 
 eth but a fad monotony, now hee is like one 
 diftracfted, having but a poore Purfe, and neither 
 Houfe nor Land whereon to make claime to 
 our favour ; his Father's propertie is involved, 
 as that of fo manie other of the King's Friends, 
 in the Misfortunes of the times, and my Lord 
 Brereton would confer with my Hufband on 
 this matter, and doth propofe to call at our 
 Lodging to morrow at 10 of the Clocke. 
 
 Since the publication of a Pamphlet, entitled. 
 Killing no Murder ^ the Prote£lor hath become 
 fo fufpicious of Treacherie as is pitiable to heare 
 of. It is fay'd he hath of late made the rounds 
 of the pofts at Whitehall in Perfon, and doth 
 continually change his fleeping Roome. He 
 
Lady Willoughby. 
 
 difmifled not long time ago his moft faithfull 
 Guards and Ojfficers, and for fome while paft 
 hath worne Piftolls concealed in his Drefle; 
 one that knew his Mother did aflure mee her 
 Death was haftened by her perpetuall feare for 
 his Life^ fhee would ftart at the firing of a 
 Mufket, and was ill at eafe if fhee favv not her 
 Sonne every day, to be certified of his Safetie. 
 
 No marvel that he is confcience-ftricken, 
 who hardened his Heart to the cries of the 
 Irijh People, and was the flayer of Thoufands, 
 defencelefl^e Men, Women and Children, men 
 in the Sanctuaries whither they had fled for 
 fafetie ; who did caufe wretched Families to be 
 torne from their homes and fold in the Planta- 
 tions : and fold for Slaves his fellow Countrey- 
 men, whom the chances of Warre left Prifoners 
 in his hand. Neverthelefl^e men faye, in his 
 fanatiek notions of faving Grace, hee cafteth a 
 Cloke over all his Sinnes ; the day hath beene 
 that he would have fay'd Is thy Servant a Dog 
 that he Jhould doe this thing ? 
 
 Mr. Evelyn called: at his departure left 
 with us a Paper containing a fliort Memoriall 
 of his little Sonne. 
 
 Died, lafl: moneth, Mr. Rich the Pxfite^or's 
 Sonne-in-law. 
 
 261 
 
 1657-8. 
 
 Feb. 27, 
 Saturday* 
 
 March 3, 
 Wednefday. 
 
262 
 
 1657-8. 
 March 4, 
 Thurjday. 
 
 May 15, 
 Saturday. 
 
 From the Diary of 
 
 The Cold continues very fharp, the Winde 
 northerly, no hope of change. One paffing 
 neare the little Turne-ftyle in Holborny faw two 
 Boyes of the Prieft's Schoole feeding or en- 
 deavouring to feed a ftarved Crow, which was 
 frozen by the Feet to its Prey ; it flapped its 
 Wings feebly now and then, and prefently died. 
 
 Heare my Lord Wincheljea is about to be 
 maried againe; have reafon to thinke it not 
 unlikely and fee no offence to us : my poore 
 'Daughter left no Children^ and the Earle did 
 lament her Death as much as was in his nature ; 
 and as hee had found Contentment in the 
 maried ftate, fo there may not bee imputed to 
 him difrefpedl to her Memorie if hee againe 
 feeke, although it be fomewhat haftily, the en- 
 livening Societie and Comfort of a Wife. 
 
 My deare Life ItftLondonthis day, hee having 
 prefling Bufineffe both at Parham and in Lin- 
 coln/hire ; and it feemed beft that I fhould re- I 
 
 maine here. | 
 
 j 
 
 Some Paffages copied from Mr. Evelyn's | 
 Memoriall of His Sonne, he having given ! 
 me permiffion. 
 
 *^ Jam 27. After fix fits of a Quartaine Ague 
 " with which it pleafed God to vifite him, died 
 
Lady Willoughby. 
 
 (C 
 
 cc 
 
 (C 
 
 <c 
 
 cc 
 cc 
 cc 
 cc 
 cc 
 cc 
 cc 
 cc 
 cc 
 cc 
 
 i 
 cc 
 
 cc 
 
 cc 
 
 j 
 
 1 «^ 
 
 cc 
 cc 
 cc 
 cc 
 cc 
 
 my deare Sonne Richard^ to our inexpreffible 
 Griefe and AfBidlion, 5 yeares and 3 days 
 onely, but at that tender Age a Prodigie for 
 Wit and Underftanding ; for Beautie of 
 Bodie a very Angel ; for endowment of 
 Minde, of incredible and rare hopes. To 
 give onely a little tafte of fome of them and 
 thereby Glorie to God^ who out of the 
 mouthes of Babes and Infantes does fome- 
 times perfed his Praifes ; at 2 yeares and a 
 halfe old he could perfeftly reade any of the 
 EngUJhy Latiney French^ or Gothic letters, 
 pronouncing the three firft Languages ex- 
 actly. He had before the 5th yeare, or in 
 that yeare, not onely fkill to reade moft 
 written hands, but to decline all the Nounes, 
 conjugate Verbes &c. ; began himfelfe to 
 write legibly and had a ftrong paffion for 
 Greeke. Strange was his apt and ingenious 
 application of Fables and Moralls, for he 
 had read ^Jop : he had a wonderfuU difpo- 
 fition to Mathematicks, having by heart 
 divers Propofitions of Euclid that were read 
 to him in play, and he would make Lines 
 and demonftrate them. As to his Pietie, 
 aftonifhing were his applications of Scripture 
 upon occafion, and his fenfe of God: hee 
 
 263 
 
 1658. 
 
264 
 
 1658. 
 
 From the Diary of 
 
 (C 
 
 <c 
 cc 
 cc 
 cc 
 cc 
 cc 
 cc 
 cc 
 cc 
 cc 
 cc 
 cc 
 cc 
 
 cc 
 cc 
 cc 
 cc 
 cc 
 cc 
 cc 
 cc 
 cc 
 cc 
 cc 
 cc 
 
 had learn'd all his Catechifme early, and 
 underftood that part of the BiMe and New 
 Tejiament to a wonder, how Chriji came to 
 redeeme Mankind, and how, comprehending 
 thefe neceflaries himfelfe, his Godfathers were 
 difcharged of their Promife. Thefe and the 
 like illuminations far exceeding his Age and 
 Experience, confidering the prettinefle of his 
 Addrefle and Behaviour, cannot but leave 
 impreflion in mee at the memorie of him. 
 Often hee would defire thofe who came to 
 fee him, to praie by him, and a yeare before 
 he fell ficke, to kneele and praie alone with 
 him in fome corner. 
 
 " How thankfully would he receive Admo- 
 nition, how foone be reconciled ! how in- 
 different yet continually cheerefuU ! He was 
 all life, all prettinefle, far from morofe, fuUen 
 or childifli, in anything hee faid or did. 
 The lafl: time hee had beene at Church, I 
 aflced him according to cuftome what he re- 
 membered of the Sermone. Two good 
 things. Father, faid hee, bonum gratia and 
 bonum gloria. The day before hee died he 
 caird to me and told mee that for all I loved 
 him fo dearly, I fliould give my Houfe, 
 Land, and all my fine things to his Brother 
 
Ljudy Willoughby. 265 
 
 ^^ Jacke^ he fhould have none of them : and ! 1658. 
 
 " next morning, when he found himfelfe ill, 
 
 " and that I perfuaded him to keepe his Hands 
 
 ^^ in bed, he demanded whether hee might 
 
 ^^ praie to God with his Hands unjoyned ; and 
 
 " a little after, whilft in great Agonie, whether 
 
 " hee fhould not offend God by ufing his holie 
 
 ^^ Name fo often, calling for eafe. So earlie 
 
 ^^ Knowledge, fo much Pietie and Perfedion ! 
 
 " But thus God^ "having drefled up a Saint fit 
 
 " for himfelfe, would not longer permitt him 
 
 '^ with us, unworthie of the future Fruites of 
 
 " this incomparable hopeful! Bloflbme. Such 
 
 " a Child I never faw : for fuch a Child I blefle 
 
 " God in whofe bofome hee is ! May I and 
 
 '^ mine become as this little Child. Thou 
 
 ^f gaveft him to us. Thou haft taken him from 
 
 ^' us, blefTed be the name of the Lord, That 
 
 '' I had anything acceptable to Thee was from 
 
 " Thy grace alone, fince from mee he had 
 
 ^' nothing but Sinne, but that thou haft par- 
 
 " doned ! blefTed be God for ever. Amen'' 
 
 Mr. Evelyn doth intend to infert fome fhort 
 Hiftorie of his Sonne in a Booke he is about 
 to print, entituled. Golden Booke of St. Chryfo- 
 ftome concerning the Education of Children. 
 
266 
 
 1658. 
 
 May 19, 
 Wednesday. 
 
 May 20, 
 Thurjday. 
 
 May 24, 
 Monday. 
 
 From the Diary of 
 
 Fanny is pale, and caft downe ; wifli I could 
 give her Comfort, but cannot as yet. 
 
 Converfation with my Lord Brereton : like 
 him for the kind Manner with which hee en- 
 tereth into his Sonnes Difficulties^ and his readi- 
 nefle to make any Sacrifice on his part, efteeming 
 his Sonne moft fortunate and himfelfe honoured 
 by an Alliance with our Familie. Hee and my 
 Lordy after frequent deliberation, do now enter- 
 taine the hope that fome fort of fuitable Provi- 
 fion may bee made, that may tend to the Accom- 
 plifhment of the Mariage fooner than at firft 
 did appeare could bee with prudence. Mr. 
 Brereton received from my Hufband a few 
 Wordes of reproofe, not unmerited yet leniently 
 adminiftered, on the part he had acSled, feeing 
 that no man doth tranfplant a faire Rofe Tree 
 from the Garden where it grev/, lovingly nou- 
 rifhed, and carefully tended, until! he hath firft 
 made readie a fitting Shelter. 
 
 To day as Mr. Brereton came up to mee to 
 hand me to the Coach, he did exprefTe in lively 
 terms his fenfe of the Favour conferred upon 
 him, and then, refpedlfully taking my Hand 
 and prefTmg it to his Lippes, he did befeech 
 mee to accept his dutifull AfFedion and to 
 beleeve that nought could fo adde to his already 
 
Lady Willoughby. 
 
 267 
 
 great HappinefTe, as to bee a Sonne to mee in 
 the place of him whofe untimely Lofle he knew 
 I did yet mourne ; it was kindly fayd, and his 
 young Face fpake more than Wordes. 
 
 Parted from my deare Daughter ; may the 
 blefling of God be upon her ! in his blejfmg may 
 her Houje bee blejfed. And may hee who hath 
 fought from us this precious Gift, prove worthie 
 of her ! We can ill fpare her, as hee will ill 
 deferve her if he bee not faithfull to his Truft ; 
 not that I doubt his concerne for her Happinefs, 
 but it needeth much to outweigh the Feares 
 that do naturally arife. Time will doubtlefle 
 reconcile mee to my Lofle. 
 
 Have with pleafure obferved that Mr. 
 Brereton hath lefle of felfe feeking than moft 
 men ; he has a finglenefle of Heart that feeketh 
 firft the Happinefle of others : alfo outwardly 
 he hath much to commend him in the graces 
 of his Perfon and noble Carriage ; he is a 
 Gentleman of a fweet difpofition, yet altogether 
 manly ; his Manners gentle and courteous, yet 
 not deficient in Dignitie; well accomplifhed and 
 learned, and of excellent Vertue. He is filent, 
 and when hee fpeaketh it is in few Wordes ; 
 yet this not from conftraint, or feare of others ; 
 free from all fervile defire to pleafe, fo hath he 
 
 i5$^. 
 
 Aug. 21, 
 Saturday. 
 
 Aug. 23, 
 Monday. 
 
268 
 
 1658. 
 
 From the Diary of 
 
 Auguft 24, 
 Tuejday, 
 
 no feare of offending any ; nor yet from povertie 
 of Thought, but is rather one who may fay. 
 
 My Minde to me a Kingdome is, 
 Such perfe^ Joy therein I find. 
 
 Thus I doe endeavour to fet forth the Ex- 
 cellencies of this young Man, that in fo doing 
 my deare Child's gaine may bee advantaged 
 in my eyes, and our LofTe bee the more 
 cheerefuUy borne ; it feemeth as though Faith 
 were weakeft for thofe whom we moft love. 
 Gave my fweet Daughter a Paper containing 
 a feeble attempt to give utterance, to the 
 Love and Solicitude of manie yeares. At this 
 time I am not without Trouble and that of a 
 fort wherewith I am well acquainted ; my 
 deare Hujhand takes ill the Conditions wherein 
 he is allowed his Libertie : all Parties are 
 fcheming and prophecying, and he under a 
 Bond to keep quiet, to him at no time an eafie 
 matter, is under continual liabilitie of fufpition 
 from the Condudl: of others who do defire to 
 draw him into their Plots and Devices. 
 
 Low in Bodie and Spirrit yet not difmayed. 
 A kind of apprehenfivenefle not ufual with 
 mee cometh over mee, as I looke at the only 
 Child left mee, as if fome unfeene Danger 
 
Lady Willoughby. 
 
 threatened her. Shee, though fhee too hath 
 lofTe In her Sifter's Marriage, feeth no Clowde, 
 and Is all galetle and full of Merriment with 
 her young Kinsfolk. 
 
 Since the Death of his Daughter^ at which 
 time hee lay 111 of the Gout, the Prote^or's 
 Health has failed more and more. The Lady 
 Clay pole did valnely Intreate for the life of Dr. 
 Hewet : fhe had fate under his MInlftrle, and 
 did hold him In great efteeme ; the Protestor ^ 
 who had a more than ordlnarle AiFedllon for 
 his Daughter^ was forely befett, and ftiee fo 
 111 : yet would he not yeeld to her Entreatle, 
 and did onely remit the Sentence that he be 
 hanged, &c. and allowed him to be beheaded. 
 This fmall mercle was llkewlfe extended to 
 Sir Henry Sltngjby : the other Prifoners, It may 
 be here mentioned, who were concerned In 
 that Plot, Mr. Rufell, Sir William Compton, 
 and others, did efcape ; my Hujband was freed 
 from all fufpltlon of being connefted with it, 
 the conditions of his Freedome beeing well 
 knowne ; and he had In truth devoted himfelfe 
 to his* private Affaires, which did ftand In 
 much need of Settlement. The Prote^or did 
 remaine at Hampton Courts during the laft 111- 
 neffe of his Daughter, whofe fufferlngs were 
 
 269 
 
 1658. 
 
 Auguft 25, 
 Wednejday. 
 
270 
 
 1658. 
 
 Aug. 26, 
 Thurjday. 
 
 Aug. 29, 
 Sunday. 
 
 From the Diary of 
 
 Sept. I, 
 Wednejday, 
 
 very great : It was fayd he came oft to her bed 
 fide, performing, as far as his own paine and 
 ficknefle would permit, the laft fad Offices, 
 until fhe was releafed ; fmoothing her Pillow, 
 giving her Medicines and Cordials with his 
 own Hand ; miniftering to her Wants, with 
 all gentlenefs and affedlion. She deceafed the 
 6th of Auguft. Hee is now very ill ; his 
 Difeafe is underftood to be a Tertian Ague, 
 and hee is confined to his Bed. Some that 
 are well informed, fay, that hee hath declared 
 to his Wife and Familie, that he is well aflured 
 that hee fhall not die at this time. 
 
 His Highnejs's ficknefle encreafeth ; hee was 
 yefterday removed to Whitehall for change of 
 Aire, but is no better ; an exprefle Meflenger 
 is fent to his Sonne Henry in Ireland, 
 
 The fits of the Ague do fo encreafe that the 
 report at Whitehall to day, is, that his High- 
 nejfe is fcarce ever free from them, the Phyfttians 
 yet hope hee may ftruggle through; Praiers 
 are dayly put up for him, as one of his Friends 
 was heard to fay, Never was there a greater 
 Jiocke of praiers going for any man than is now 
 going for him. 
 
 When my Lord Say left Whitehall this fore- 
 noone, the Prote^or was at that time delirious. 
 
Lady Willoughby. 
 
 It Is fuppofed that there are frequent private 
 Meetings of the King's friends : they found 
 their chelfe Hopes on the Divifions like to bee 
 in the other Partie ; fome fay the Succeffion is 
 appointed, others that a Paper, thought to bee 
 the Prote5lofs Will, the which hee fent for 
 when at Hampton Court when his illnefle did 
 become fo formidable, was not to bee found, 
 and fo his Sonnes Succeffion will be difputed. 
 The Countrey will be throwne, it is to be feared, 
 into Confufion and Strife. May the Lordh^.WQ 
 mercie upon this poore People and fave us from 
 the horrors of another Warre, My deare Life 
 hath ridde up with all fpeed to London, 
 
 Mr. Evelyn has jufl: called, my Lord Lijle^ 
 Mr. Pepys^ and divers others : no one knows 
 what to exped. Mr. Evelyn had mett a Friend 
 in the Street, who had heard from one who was 
 come from the Palace^ and had fpoken to a 
 Gentleman jufl: forth the ficke Roome, that the 
 Prote^or was more himfelfe : His Highnejfe 
 fpake to thofe neare his Bed, and called on 
 one of his Chaplaines to reade a Text from 
 the Bible that he named, to him, and in a 
 manner very afFedling made fome Remarke 
 thereon, and afterward did praie devoutly and 
 humbly. 
 
 271 
 
 1658. 
 
 Sept. 2, 
 Thurjday. 
 
272 
 
 1658. 
 
 Sept. 3, 
 Friday. 
 
 From the Diary of 
 
 So awfull hath beene this Day, and the laft 
 Night, that I feele fcarce able to guide the 
 Penne. It is all over, the ProteBor is no more ; 
 on this day that he hath ever confidered his 
 fortunate Day. His Highnejfe had funke into 
 a kind of Stupor, after the interval of confciouf- 
 nefle yefternoone, but revived a little in the 
 night-time, and did utter a few Wordes, faying, 
 God is good^ hee will not leave mee. 
 
 He was reftlefle moft part of the Night, 
 fpeaking to himfelfe in broken Sentences; 
 after, hee appeared unconfcious, though ftill 
 breathing, and fo did continue till his Spiritt 
 was releafed in the Afternoone, at 4 of the 
 clock. During the Night was there fuch a 
 Storme as I never remember : People were 
 frighted out of their beds, Houfes fhooke as 
 they would fall, and the Sound of the Wind 
 was terrible to heare: but the dying Man heard 
 it not. Every one that cometh in has to tell 
 of new Difafter : Roofes carried off, Chimnies 
 blowne downe, and great Trees in the Parks 
 torne up by the Roots ; manie of the Linden 
 Trees at the Lord Treafurer's in the Strand 
 are broken off. 
 
hady Willoughby. 
 
 1662. 
 
 Letter from the Lord Willoughhy to his Wife, 
 
 Deare Heart, 
 
 Aving occafion to fend Lydgate 
 
 into the Countrey on fome Bufi- 
 
 neffe of a nature not to be en- 
 
 trufted to Paper, I at the fame 
 
 time make him Bearer of thefe Lines to my 
 
 deare Wife^ whofe tender Heart will fuiffer in 
 
 that I have to write. This afternoone was 
 
 I fent out of the World the honefteft and noblefl: 
 
 i Man in it: Sir Harry Vane was beheaded on 
 
 I "Tower Hilly notwithftanding that his Majejiie 
 
 had pledged his word to remitt the Sentence, 
 
 fliould it be given againft him, which it was 
 
 knowne the Soliciter Generall had refolved : 
 
 there is a Curfe methinks on Kingfhip; and the 
 
 Royall Word is ever to be a Mockerie. There 
 
 273 
 
 1662. 
 
274 
 
 i662. 
 
 From the Diary of 
 
 was afTembled a vaft Multitude, numbers at 
 Windowes and on the tops of the Houfes : as 
 Sir Harry paff'd within the 'Tower railing, the 
 acclamations of the People were loud, manie 
 crying out, 2"/^^ Lord goe with you^ The Lord 
 helpe you. He did make acknowledgement by 
 taking off his Hat at different times : as the 
 Sled was drawne flowly through the Crowd, I 
 heard one who flood neere the Sled, fay to him, 
 it was the mofl glorious Seat he had ever fate 
 in ; he anfwered him, // is indeed ; one man 
 who had knowne him in ISlew England^ prefTed 
 forward to bid God bleffe him, the Teares on 
 his furrowed Face. As he ftood on the Scaf- 
 fold the multitude were flrucke with Admiration 
 at his noble Prefence as hee began to fpeake to 
 them : but he was prefently interrupted by 
 Sir John Robinfon^ who was there for this intent, 
 and who ordered the Trumpeters to come neare, 
 and found the Trumpets before his Face, to 
 prevent his being heard, and this was done 
 feverall times, and his Notes were rudely 
 fnatched from his Hands as I am credibly in- 
 formed, but did not fee it ; the People were 
 much moved by what he fay'd, and it was feared 
 they might be wrought upon in a degree like 
 to be dangerous, if he was permitted to go on 
 
Lady Willoughby. 
 
 with his Difcourfe. As he knelt downe, one 
 that was neare heard one or two fhort Sentences, 
 fuch as, / hlejfe the Lord who hath counted me 
 wort hie tojufferfor his Name, IbleJJe the Lord 
 I have not defer ted the righteous Cauje for which 
 Ifuffer, Such, deare IVifCy was the end of this 
 good and upright Man. As the People went 
 their way after the fatal Stroke was given, there 
 was much murmuring : they fpake one to an- 
 other of his manifold Vertues, his integritie in 
 Office ; while fome fcrupled not fcoffingly to 
 jeft on the worth of a Kings Promife, and others, 
 whofe Garb betokened them of fomewhat better 
 Rank than the crowd, did with great warmth 
 enlarge on that Speech of his in the Houfe fome 
 while ago, when he did fupport the Petition of 
 the Royalifts, Prifoners fold for Slaves in the 
 publicke Market at Barbadoes by order of the 
 Prote^or. His Majejlie is blamed by many. 
 I mett Mr. PepySy who had witnefled the Exe- 
 cution, and hee fayd to mee, the King would 
 lofe more by this Man's Death than he would 
 get againe for a good while. Tho' of late 
 differing from Sir Harry Vane^ there had beene 
 no perfonall Enmitie betweene us, and greatly 
 defiring, in remembrance of our former Friend- 
 fhip, to fee him once more, in companie with 
 
 '^IS 
 
 1664. 
 
276 
 
 i662. 
 
 From the Diary of 
 
 others of his Friends, Ivifitedhim on the morn- 
 ing of his Death. - Why^ fay'd hee, Jhould wee 
 bee affrighted with Death ? I bleffe the Lord I 
 am Jo farre from being affrighted with Deaths 
 that I find it rather fhrinke from mee than I from 
 it. Kifling his Children he gave them his 
 Blefling, faying, the Lord would be to them a 
 better Father than he was : told them not to 
 be troubled for him, he was going home to his 
 Father. I have writt thefe particulars for your 
 private reading. Farewell, fweet JVife, whom 
 I dearely love, yet would I rather be the dead 
 Sir Harry Vane^ than one who muft be name- 
 lefle. 
 
 Willoughby, 
 Strand^ 
 This 14M day of June 1662. 
 
Lady Willoughby. 
 
 1663. 
 
 isSLe^^^;# 
 
 ftl f#cD%*^|Ind as I grow older encreafing re 
 ^ ^^^^^ ludancy to take up my Penne ; 
 ^ ' ' ^ it may be that I am lefTe moved 
 than formerly by publick Events 
 and Circumftances, and more difpofed to wait 
 for the end, wherein if we patiently wait, will 
 be made manifeft the purpofes of the Divine 
 Government ; alfo I am led to beleeve that it 
 is fafer for mee to looke to prefent Duties with- 
 out looking backeward or forward, which doth 
 ofttimes diftradt the Minde or overweigh the 
 Spirit with more care or trouble than doth of 
 right belong to the time being. Taking by 
 chance out of my writing Drawer this little 
 booke in which are infcribed many PafTages of 
 my paft Life and Experiences, I did open it and 
 read fome ; and feeing that for nigh four Yeares 
 nothing hath beene added thereto, for the fake 
 
 277 
 
 1663. 
 
 Aug. 23, 
 
278 
 
 1663. 
 
 From the Diary of 
 
 of my deare Daughters y who hereafter may not 
 unlikely perufe this Memorlall of their Mother^ 
 I will endeavour fhortly to fill up the fpace to 
 this time, and this under fome degree of folemn 
 feeling that when thefe Wordes are read by 
 them I fhall be no more in this Life, but have 
 pafled to Judgement. And here it feemeth to j 
 mee, not out of Seafon to exhort you, my be- j 
 loved Children, to remember, that fuch as ye 
 are made by the difcipline of Time, fuch ye I 
 will be when Death opens the Doore and ye 
 pafle into Eternity. During thefe few Yeares 
 great changes have been wrought in Publick 
 Affaires. The fudden Death of the late Pro- 
 te^or was followed by anarchie and confufion ; 
 his Sonne was fpeedily and quietly fet afide: 
 the Republican Partie were for a while upper-^ 
 moft, and they re-called the old Members, who 
 had been excluded from the Houje of Commons y 
 and ftrove to build up a fimilitude of the old 
 notion of a Common wealth, but there was Di- 
 vifion and Weaknefle : fome abandoned the 
 Scheme, and imagined to bring back the Mon- 
 archic under reftridlions that fhould fo limit the 
 prerogative of the Crown, as to keepe a juft 
 Ballance, and fince it was fayed, fo many were 
 for a King, why fhould it not bee the rightful) 
 
Lady Willoughby. 
 
 Heir to the Throne ? Others fayed, they ob- 
 jefted not to a King, but would not have a 
 Catholicke, which would bee to perill the re- 
 formed Religion and the Libertie for which they 
 had fought and ftriven : my deare Hujband did 
 moftly agree with thofe who would reftore the 
 exiled Monarchy and did privately conferre with 
 Sir Bulftrode Whitelocke^ General Fleetwood^ and 
 a few others. But whether they moved too 
 flowly, or diiFered in opinion how to ad:, I 
 know not : Whitelocke was threatened with Im- 
 prifonment, and betooke himfelfe to the Coun- 
 trey, to be out of the way, leaveing the Great 
 Seale with his Wife^ to be delivered to the 
 Speaker, So it was for a time, that the Nation 
 might be fayd to have no Government. My 
 Lord^ when he did perceive that nothing was 
 to be done in that diredion, joyned the Royalifts 
 and did fupply them with Money to buy Arms. 
 Then it was agreed that a Rifing fhould be 
 on a day fixed in July ; it was in the yeare 
 1659. '^y Hujband^ in conjunftion with Sir 
 Horatio Townfendy was to take pofleffion oi Lyn ; 
 Sir George Booth iflued a Proclamation in the 
 North, calling upon the People to aid in form- 
 ing a fettled Government, yet not nameing the 
 King ; but it appeared that the Plott had beene 
 
 279 
 
 1663. 
 
28o 
 
 1663. 
 
 Aug. 24, 
 Monday. 
 
 From the Diary of 
 
 difcovered, a letter of the Lady Mary Howard] 
 was intercepted, and flie was arretted; andj 
 prefently my Hujband^ Sir George Booths Sirj 
 William ComptoUy alfo I thinke the Earle of 
 Stamford^ Collonel Rojfiter^ were all taken, and ! 
 fent to the Tower. I heard one fay afterward, j 
 that the Lord Willoughby did make very merrie 
 as he once more entered his former Abode. 
 It is farre beyond my poore Abilitie to fet downe 
 the ftate of the Countrie and different parts 
 taken by thofe feverally concerned ; I beleeve 
 manie were fore difcomforted and under great 
 difcouragement and had no hearte to ftirre in the 
 confufed ftate of Affaires, the Parliament 3.nd the 
 Armie were at continuall ftrife, and each divided 
 within itfelfe. 
 
 So at laft the Armie in the north with Gene- 
 rail Moncky he now Duke of Albemarle^ at 
 their head came to London, Some fayd he was 
 for raifing himfelfe to be Prote5lor^ others that 
 he was for the King, General Lambert was 
 fent to the Tower. And here I may flop to 
 mention that by meanes of a long Rope, he, 
 like the Apoftk, let himfelfe downe the Wall 
 at fome height, and was received into a Boate 
 underneath the Windore, whereat he got out ; 
 but hee, poore Man, not content to lie concealed. 
 
Lady Willoughby. 
 
 was fliortly re-taken and brought back to Pri- 
 fon. General! Monck appeared at the firft to 
 feeke the favour of Parliament^ and did yield 
 himfelfe to the bidding of the Leaders ; then 
 fome Aft did difpleafe the Cities and he turned 
 that way : in time the Truth came out, that he 
 was fecretly at worke for the King. They who 
 did beare rule in the Houfe of Commons y did now 
 caufe Sir Harry Vane to bee put under Arreft, 
 and kept in durance at Belleau^ his Houfe in 
 Lincoln/hire. The fame were well difpofed to 
 fome others, fo were fet at Libertie my deare 
 Hufband^.hQV a ihortCaptivitie, Sir George Booths 
 and their Friends. The end came at laft of this 
 mif-rule and difturbed Courfe, a Meflenger ar- 
 rived from Breday who appeared at the doore 
 of the Houfe and did make requeft to fpeake to 
 the Lord General^ to whom he prefented a Let- 
 ter^ which no doubt was expefted by Monck, 
 Afterward he was called in, and did then deliver 
 up Letters addrefled to the two HoufeSy and alfo 
 a Paper which did contain the Promife of a free 
 and generall Pardon, and Libertie of Confcience 
 in Religion. Then it was moved that a Letter 
 fhould be writt inviting the King to returne, 
 likewife a prefent of Money for himfelfe and 
 his Brother, greatly needed. Some, more pru- 
 
 281 
 
 1663. 
 
282 
 
 1663. 
 
 Auguft 26, 
 Wednejday. 
 
 From the Diary of 
 
 dent than others, would have flayed thefe hafty 
 Proceedings, in order to ftipulate certaine Con- 
 ditions, but the Lord Generall did overrule the 
 matter, faying, it would be time enough after- 
 ward : which hafte was to be repented of, as | 
 doth now unhappily appeare, men hurried to ! 
 the overthrow of their own Worke. 
 
 In a little while the King entered London amid 
 great rejoy cings, and acclamations of the People. 
 
 It needeth not to particularize more, neither 
 may it be altogether expedient : Perfecutions, 
 Imprifonment, and Death are on all fides, on the 
 fcore of Religion, no lefle than of Revenge for 
 the death of the late King. The Execution of 
 Sir Harry Fane Aruckc to the heart of his Friends, 
 and was condemned by his Enemies. A yeare 
 ago, or thereabout, his Majeftie married the 
 Infanta of Portugal^ who hath her Confeflbr and 
 Private Chappel, where the MafTe is celebrated. 
 
 To leave publick Affaires — Our excellent 
 friend Mr. Evelyn is much noticed at Court; 
 he is well pleafed that his Majeftie hath given 
 his Countenance to the Society which he and 
 Mr. Robert Boyle^ and other learned and in- 
 genious men, fo long ago devifed and afiembled 
 together. Alfo he hath receaved Prayfe and 
 Commendation of his Booke entituled, Sylvay 
 
Lady Willoughby. 
 
 or a diJcQurJe on Trees^ from the King himfelf 
 as well as others. 
 
 Have lately given in marriage our beloved 
 Daughter Elizabeth to Mr. JoneSy the eldeft 
 Sonne of my Lord Ranelagh, Doe live in much 
 Retirement ; having a naturall inclination for 
 Solitude, it pleafeth me well : but my deare 
 Hujband hath but little aptitude for a quiett 
 Life, and doth fpeake of again vifiting Barba- 
 does and Antigua^ and this with more feriouf- 
 nefle of purpofe fince he hath heard from his 
 Friends, that his Majejiie would likely make 
 him Governor of the IJlands. 
 
 Lady Ranelagh is the deare and much ef- 
 
 teemed Friend of Mr. Evelyn and his Wife^ and 
 
 Sifier to Mr. Robert Boyle^ who hath for her a 
 
 more than common AfFedlion, and hath had a 
 
 Pi(5lure of her painted in Oyle. I thought not 
 
 I (b fbone to be called upon to give up the lafl: 
 
 i Lamb of my little Flock, whom I would faine 
 
 I have kept by my fide yet a little while, and this 
 
 not for my owne fake alone. She may I feare 
 
 I mee have to live in Ireland^ and hath beene 
 
 I fomewhat too delicately nurtured to beare the 
 
 ! Hardfhips that fliee may have to encounter, 
 
 yet hath fhee a Sprightlinefle and Vivacitie of 
 
 Difpofition not prone to magnifie Trouble, and 
 
 283 
 
 1663, 
 
284 
 
 1663. 
 
 Aug. 27, 
 Thurjday. 
 
 From the Diary of 
 
 ftill lefle to feeke it ; and fo farre Is fitted to take 
 Life bravely. Oft I have thought her moft 
 like unto a Httle merrie Bird, and now fhee too 
 is gone from mee. How greatly have I been 
 favoured in my Children, ^^ pretie Playfellows^' 
 in my youth, dutiful Daughters, and deare 
 Companions, the Joy and Comfort of my ad- 
 vancing Years. The houfe would be emptie 
 and filent were it not for the found of little 
 Footfteppes of more than one Grandchild and 
 the happie Voices of their Parents. 
 
 Wearied and fomewhat fad at Heart, I lay'd 
 down my Penne yefterday, and fhortly after- 
 ward was fent for to give fome helpe to one of 
 our poore Neighbours. The Leflbn came not 
 amifle, and the Worde of the Difciple to the 
 blind Man, came to my remembrance. Be of 
 good Comfort^ arije^ hee calleth thee. There 
 was ftill Worke for mee to doe : beleave we 
 doe not fufficiently take Comfort in this, that 
 it is He who calleth us ; howfoever fmall may 
 appeare the Dutie, or lowly the Service. Late 
 in the Afternoone as I fate in the Windore at 
 the eaft end of the long Gallerie, there fell a 
 heavy Shower of Rain ; on a fudden the Sun 
 ihone out brightly, and above the Wood 
 oppofite, a Rainebow reaching acrofie to the 
 
Lady Willoughby. 
 
 upland Field of Corn Sheaves ; it did remind 
 mee of my beloved Mother^ of her readineffe 
 to draw forth the facred Teaching contained 
 in the great Booke of Nature, and I remem- 
 bered the Day when wee flood together at that 
 fame Windore, and I was very forrowfuU, and 
 there did appeare to us then as now, the manie 
 coloured Rainebow midfl: the falling Drops, 
 (he looked wiftfully at my fad Countenance as 
 (hee fay^d, Deare Child, this beautifull Emblem 
 as it is made vifible to us onely in the falling 
 Raine, fo is it not in the vifitations of Sorrow 
 that the Heart is gladdened by the fweeteft 
 Tokens of God's Love ? Sorrow from His 
 Hand hath ever Sweetnefle mingled therewith, 
 it melteth the Heart, which doth more readily 
 yeeld itfelf to the Divine Will, to be as Clay 
 in the hands of the Potter. Thus, or in like 
 Wordes, fhee fpake. How great have beene 
 my Priviledges, much hath beene given, much 
 will be required. 
 
 It hath beene permitted mee to feele as 
 Yeares increafe. Faith ftrengthened, fpirituall 
 Perceptions quickened, and fpirituall Difcern- 
 ment enlarged; praifed be God^ in whom is all 
 fulnefle of Knowledge, Grace and Truth. 
 
 Bufied this Forenoone in ordering fome 
 
 285 
 
 1663. 
 
 Aug. 29, 
 Saturday. 
 
286 
 
 1663. 
 
 From the Diary of 
 
 changes in the Houfehold : looked over the 
 Linnen and made out a Lift of fome that could 
 bee fpared for my daughter Brereton ; in the 
 toppe of the Linnen Cheft found one or two 
 of my firft Babie-cloathes ftrewed with La- 
 vender, carefully pinned up and put away by 
 poore old Nurfe ; tooke up the lace Cap, the 
 two who had worne it firft, my little Sonne my 
 precious William^ and my beloved Daughter 
 Diana^ both taken. Can I now fay It is well? 
 all things vifible will pafle away, but the un- 
 feene willremaine, fo if the Heart loveth thefe, 
 its Treafures are fafe in Heaven. When 
 evening came I walked forth ; the Sunne had 
 gone down behind Framlingham^ leaving a 
 bright golden Edge upon the narrow ridge of 
 darke Cloud ; the Aire was foft and the Gillo- 
 flowers on the low Wall gave out a pleafant 
 Perfume as I pafled ; ftopped and pluckt fome 
 of the pale yellow Flowers as I thought of the 
 day whereon my three little Maidens brought 
 the young Plants from the Caftle, and planted 
 them here, the while I ftood bye looking at their 
 happie Faces ; now one is not, and the others 
 are farre from mee. As I walked to & fro on 
 the Terrace faw the Rookes as they flowly 
 winged their way over head to their Nefts; 
 
Lady Willoughby. 
 
 how fmall a thing maketh the full Cup to 
 overflow, the Tears rofe to my Eyes, my home 
 was deferted. As it became darker the Starres, 
 which did at firft fhow but dimly, were now 
 bright and fparkling; There was fcarce a found, 
 the Birds were all filent, fave the Owl in the 
 farre wood ; a Bat flitted pafl:, neare to my 
 Face, the fliapes of things became indiftincft, 
 and no Shadow marked the Houre on the 
 Sunne-Dial : a little gufl of Wind rofe, and 
 ftirred the tops of the Trees. The ftillnefle 
 of ^11 around was very folemn ; a fweete feel- 
 ing that could not be uttered of lowly Thankf- 
 giving and Love fpread over my Heart. The 
 hord was very gratious unto mee ; it was a 
 Seafon of inward Peace, as of outward Silence 
 and Beauty, and my Heart was fl:irred as the 
 "Trees of the Wood are moved by the Wind, 
 
 Came into the Houfe, and feeing the Sand- 
 glafle that I had turned at Sunne-fett that it 
 was runne out, the Prayer arofe that fo my 
 Life might runne its courfe, and gently ceafe. 
 
 FINIS. 
 
 287 
 1663. 
 
PRINTED BY WHITTINGHAM AND WILKINS, 
 TOOKS COURT, CHANCERY LANE. 
 
U.C.BERKELEY LIBRARIES 
 
 C0M3n7S3T