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The Chronicle of Walter of Guisborough, a canon regular of the Augustinian Guisborough Priory, Yorkshire, formerly known as The Chronicle of Walter of Hemingburgh, describes the period from 1066 to 1346. Before 1274 the Chronicle is based on other works. Thereafter, the Chronicle is original, and a remarkable source for the events of the time. This book provides a translation of the Chronicle from that date. The Latin source for our translation is the 1849 work edited by Hans Claude Hamilton. Hamilton, in his preface, says: "In the present work we behold perhaps one of the finest samples of our early chronicles, both as regards the value of the events recorded, and the correctness with which they are detailed; Nor will the pleasing style of composition be lightly passed over by those capable of seeing reflected from it the tokens of a vigorous and cultivated mind, and a favourable specimen of the learning and taste of the age in which it was framed." Available at Amazon in eBook and Paperback.
The Gloucester is in Ships.
1654. The Gloucester was a third-rate Speaker-class frigate launched in 1654 with 54 guns and 280 crew. She had a length at gundeck of 35.7m, a beam of 10.6m, and a depth of hold of 13 feet 6 inches (4.1 m). The ship's tonnage was 755 tons burthen.
She was built at Limehouse [Map] under the direction of Master Shipwright Matthew Graves, and was launched in March 1653 at a cost of £5,473.
In 1664 Admiral John Harman (age 39) was appointed Captain of the The Gloucester.
From 1st June 1666 to 04 Jun 1666 the English and Dutch fleets engaged in battle. The English lost ten ships and 1000 men. The Dutch lost four ships and 1500 men.
On 1st June 1666 William Berkeley (age 27) was killed.
The Gloucester took part.
On 25th July 1666 the English fleet, commanded jointly between Prince Rupert Palatinate Simmern 1st Duke Cumberland (age 46) and George Monck 1st Duke Albemarle (age 57), inflicted a severe defeat on the Dutch fleet commanded by Admiral Michiel de Ruyter (age 59). Dutch casualties amounted to 1200 men, English 300. The Dutch only lost two ships: De Ruyter had been successful at saving almost the complete van, only Sneek and Tholen struck their flag. Tholen was the flagship of admiral Banckert who had moved his flag to another vessel. Both ships were burnt by the English.
Captain George Batts fought in Richard Utber's division in the White Squadron.
The Gloucester fought.
On 12th March 1672 Admiral John Holmes (age 32), commanding The Gloucester, and Thomas Butler 6th Earl Ossory (age 37) attacked the Dutch Smyrna Fleet on its return from the Mediterranean beginning the Third Anglo-Dutch War.
On 28th May 1672 Philip Carteret (age 31) and Winston Churchill were killed at Solebay, Southwold [Map].
Edward Montagu 1st Earl Sandwich (age 46) was killed. His son Edward (age 24) succeeded 2nd Earl Sandwich.
George Legge 1st Baron Dartmouth (age 25) fought.
Charles Harbord (age 32) was killed. The inscription on his. Monument in Westminster Abbey [Map] reads ... Sr. Charles Harbord Knt. his Majesties Surveyor General, and First Lieutenant of the Royall James, under the most noble and illustrious captain Edward, Earle of Sandwich, Vice Admirall of England, which after a terrible fight maintained to admiration against a squadron of the Holland fleet for above six houres, neere the Suffolk coast, having put off two fireships, at last being utterly dissabled and few of her men remaining unhurt, was by a third unfortunately set on fire: but he (though he swam well) neglected to save himselfe as some did, and out of the perfect love to that worthy lord (whom for many yeares he had constantly accompanyed in all his honourable imployments, and in all the engagements of the former warr) dyed with him at the age of XXXIII, much bewailed of his father whom he never offended, and much beloved of all for his knowne piety, vertue, loyalty, fortitude and fidelity.
Captain John Cox was killed in action.
Admiral John Holmes (age 32) fought as commander of Rupert.
The Gloucester took part.
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On 7th June 1673 and 14th June 1673 two naval battles took place between an allied Anglo-French fleet commanded by Prince Rupert Palatinate Simmern 1st Duke Cumberland (age 53) on his flagship the Royal Charles, and the fleet of the United Provinces, commanded by Admiral Michiel de Ruyter (age 66). The Dutch won both battles.
The Gloucester took part.
On 21st August 1673 the Battle of Texel was a naval battle between the English and Dutch. Prince Rupert Palatinate Simmern 1st Duke Cumberland (age 53) commanded the Allied fleet of about 92 ships and 30 fireships. Jean II d'Estrées commanding the van, and Sir Edward Spragge (age 53) the rear division. The Dutch fleet of 75 ships and 30 fireships was commanded by Admiral Michiel de Ruyter (age 66).
Although there were no major ship losses, many were seriously damaged and about 3,000 men died, two-thirds of them English or French.
The Gloucester fought.
In 1682 Captain Christopher Gunman (age 47) was court-martialled for the loss of the The Gloucester.
On 6th May 1682 The Gloucester sank during a strong gale when it struck a sandbank twenty-eight miles off Great Yarmouth, Norfolk [Map] on a journey from Portsmouth to Edinburgh. Of the estimated 330 people on board it is believed between 130 and 250 sailors and passengers perished.
The Duke of York (age 48) [the future King James II] and John Churchill 1st Duke of Marlborough (age 31) were rescued in the ship's boat.
Robert Ker 3rd Earl Roxburghe (age 24) drowned. His son Robert (age 5) succeeded 4th Earl Roxburghe.
John Hope of Hopetoun drowned. He gave up his seat in a lifeboat to the future King James II of England Scotland and Ireland for which his son was rewarded with an Earldom twenty-one years later when he came of age.
Richard Hill drowned.
The pilot James Ayres was blamed for the disaster. The Duke of York wished him to be hanged immediately. He was court-martialled and imprisoned.
In 2007 the wreck of The Gloucester was discovered by Norfolk-based printer brothers Julian and Lincoln Barnwell, together with their late father, friend James Little and another unnamed friend.
The shipwreck is split down the keel, with remains of the hull submerged in sand, and it is not known how much of it is intact. There are no plans to raise any part of it.
The finds included glasses found in the original case, clothes, shoes, navigational equipment, personal possessions and unopened wine bottles. One of the wine bottles bears a glass seal with the crest of the Legge family.
In 2012 the bell of the The Gloucester was raised to the surface providing evidence of the identity of the vessel.