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On this Day in History ... 27th December

27 Dec is in December.

1539 Anne of Cleves Arrival at Calais

1605 Marriage of Philip Herbert and Susan Howard

1664 Comet

1665 Great Plague of London

1683 Frost Fair

See Births, Marriages and Deaths.

Events on the 27th December

On 27 Dec 1350 King John I of Aragon was born to Peter IV King Aragon (age 31) and Eleanor Barcelona Queen Consort Aragon. Coefficient of inbreeding 2.45%.

Dugdale's Warwickshire. Touching the said Lady Isabel (deceased) his Countesse I find, that she did not long survive him; for her Testament1 bears dare the date the first of December following, and the probat thereof 4. Febr. the same year. Of which Testament, forasmuch as it is very mememorable, I shall here deliver the substance; viz,. that her body should be interred in the Abby of Teskesbury [Map] , and her great Templys2 with the baleys3 sold to the utmost , and delivered to the Monks of that house, so that they grutcht not with her burial there, and what else she had appointed to be done about the same. As also that her statue should be made all nakyd with her hair cast backwards according to the design and modell that one Thomas Porchalion had for that purpose and Mary Madg. laying her hands a-crosse, with S. John the Evang. on the right side and on the left side S. Anthony; and at her feet a Scocheon empaling her Arms with those of the Earle her late Husband, supported by two Gryphons, but on the sides thereof the statues of poor men and women in their poor array, with their beads in their hands. She also willed, that of her great Sharp a Challice should be made & offered to our Lady in the Lady-Chapell there at Tewkesbury and gave to our Lady of Caversham a Crown of Gold made of her Chain (weighing 25.l.) and other broken Gold in her Cabinet; and two Tablets , the one of S. Catherine, the other of S. George, the precious stones of which Tablets to be set in the said Crown. Her Tablet with the Image of our Lady, having a Glasse for it, she appointed to be offered unto our Lady of Walsingham with wide slieves, and a Tabernacle of silver like in the timbre to that over on; Lady of Caversham; and that her great Image of Wax, then at London, should be offered to our Lady of Worcester. To the Abby of Tewkesbury she gave her wedding Gown, and all her Cloaths of Gold, and Cloaths of Silk without Furs, saving one of Russet Velvet which she bequeathed to S. Winifride [Map]; further directing that all her precious Stones and Pearls should be sold, as also her silver Vessel and goods to perform her Will, whereof Sr. Will Mountfort, John Nansan, and John Norreii were consticuted Executors.

Note 1. Lussnam Q 27.

Note 2. Jewels hanging on womens foreheads by bodkins thrust into their hair.

Note 3. Pale, or Peach coloured Rubies.

Chronicle of Greyfriars. 27 Dec 1539. This yere the 27th day of December came in lady Anne of Cleves (age 24) into England, ...

On 27 Dec 1545 John Spelman of died. He was buried at All Saints Church, Narborough [Map].

John Spelman of: he was born to John Spelman and Elizabeth Frowick. Before 27 Dec 1545 John Spelman of and Margaret Blennerhasset were married.

Memorials of affairs of state in the reigns of Q Elizabeth and K James I Volume 2 Dudley Carleton to Mr Winwood Jan 1605. Jan 1605. Dudley Carleton (age 32) to Ralph Winwood (age 42)

Sir

I had written unto you at this time, though I had not been invited by your Letters I received by Captain Doyly. For in Mr. Chamberlain's Absense, I come in quarter, and have waited so diligently at Court this Christmas, that I have Matter enough, if the Report of Masks and Mummings can please you.

On St. John's Day we had the Marriage of Sir Philip Herbert (age 21) and the Lady Susan (age 18) performed at Whitehall, with all the Honour could be done a great Favourite. The Court was great, and for that Day put on the best Bravery. The Prince (age 11) and Duke of Holst (age 26) led the Bride to Church, the Queen (age 31) follow'd her from thence. The King (age 39) gave her, and she in her Tresses, and Trinketts brided and bridled it so handsomly, and indeed became her self so well, that the King said, if he were unmarried he would not give her, but keep her himself. The Marriage Dinner was kept in the great Chamber, where the Prince and the Duke of Holst, and the great Lords and Ladies accompanied the Bride. The Ambassador of Venice was the only bidden Guest of Strangers, and he had place above the Duke of Holst, which the Duke took not well. But after Dinner he was as little pleased himself; for being brought into the Closet to retire himself, he was there suffered to walk out his Supper unthought of. At Night there was a Mask in the Hall, which for Conceit and Fashion was fuitable to the Occasion. The Actors, were the Earle of Pembrook (age 25), the Lord Willoby, Sir Samuel Hays, Sir Thomas Germain, Sir Robert Cary (age 22), Sir John Lee, Sir Richard Preston, and Sir Thomas Eager. There was no smal Loss that Night of Chaines and Jewells, and many great Ladies were made shorter by the Skirts, and were well enough served that they could keep cut no better. The Presents of Plate, and other Things given by the Noblemen, were valued at £2500, but that which made it a good Marriage, was a Gift of the King's of £500 Land for the Bride's Joynture. They were lodged in the Councill Chamber, where the King in his Shirt and NightGown gave them a Reveille Matin before they were up, and spent a good time in or upon the Bed, chuse which you will believe. No Ceremony was omitted of Bride-Cakes, Points, Garters, and Gloves, which have been ever since the Livery of the Court; and at Night there was sewing into the Sheet, casting off the Bride's left Hose, with many other petty Sorceries.

On 27 Dec 1605 Philip Herbert 4th Earl Pembroke 1st Earl Montgomery (age 21) and Susan Vere Countess Montgomery (age 18) were married at Whitehall. The bride was escorted into the church by the Queen's (age 31) brother Prince Ulrik Oldenburg (age 26) and her son Henry Frederick Stewart Prince of Wales (age 11). She the daughter of Edward de Vere 17th Earl of Oxford and Anne Cecil Countess of Oxford. He the son of Henry Herbert 2nd Earl Pembroke and Mary Sidney Countess Pembroke (age 44).

Diary of Anne Clifford 1616. 27 Dec 1616. Upon the 27th I dined at my Lady Elizabeth Gray’s lodgings at Somerset House where I met my Lady Compton and Lady Fielding and spoke to them about my coming to the King. Presently after dinner came my Lord (age 27) thither and we went together to my Lady Arundel’s where I saw all the pictures and statues in the lower rooms.

Samuel Pepys' Diary. 27 Dec 1661. In the morning to my Bookseller's to bespeak a Stephens's Thesaurus, for which I offer £4, to give to Paul's School; and from thence to Paul's Church; and there I heard Dr. Gunning (age 47) preach a good sermon upon the day (being St. John's day), and did hear him tell a story, which he did persuade us to believe to be true, that St. John and the Virgin Mary did appear to Gregory, a Bishopp, at his prayer to be confirmed in the faith, which I did wonder to hear from him.

Samuel Pepys' Diary. 27 Dec 1662. So to the office, and there Mr. Coventry (age 34) and I sat till noon, and then I stept to the Exchange [Map], and so home to dinner, and after dinner with my wife to the Duke's Theatre, and saw the second part of "Rhodes", done with the new Roxalana (age 20); which do it rather better in all respects for person, voice, and judgment, then the first Roxalana.

Samuel Pepys' Diary. 27 Dec 1664. The Comet appeared again to-night, but duskishly. I went to bed, leaving my wife and all her folks, and Will also, too, come to make Christmas gambolls to-night.

Samuel Pepys' Diary. 27 Dec 1665. Up, and with Cocke (age 48), by coach to London, there home to my wife, and angry about her desiring a mayde yet, before the plague is quite over. It seems Mercer is troubled that she hath not one under her, but I will not venture my family by increasing it before it be safe.

Samuel Pepys' Diary. 27 Dec 1667. Thence to other talk. He tells me that the business of getting the Duchess of Richmond (age 20) to Court is broke off, the Duke (age 28) not suffering it; and thereby great trouble is brought among the people that endeavoured it, and thought they had compassed it. And, Lord! to think that at this time the King (age 37) should mind no other cares but these! He tells me that my Lord of Canterbury (age 69) is a mighty stout man, and a man of a brave, high spirit, and cares not for this disfavour that he is under at Court, knowing that the King cannot take away his profits during his life, and therefore do not value it1.

Note 1. This character of Archbishop Sheldon does not tally with the scandal that Pepys previously reported of him. Burnet has some passages of importance on this in his "Own Time", Book II He affirms that Charles's final decision to throw over Clarendon was caused by the Chancellor's (age 58) favouring Mrs. Stewart's marriage with the Duke of Richmond. The King had a conference with Sheldon on the removal of Clarendon, but could not convert the archbishop to his view. Lauderdale told Burnet that he had an account of the interview from the King. "the King and Sheldon had gone into such expostulations upon it that from that day forward Sheldon could never recover the King's confidence"..

Samuel Pepys' Diary. 27 Dec 1667. Up, and by water to White Hall, and there walked with Creed in the Matted Gallery till by and by a Committee for Tangier met: the Duke of York (age 34) there; and there I did discourse over to them their condition as to money, which they were all mightily, as I could desire, satisfied with, but the Duke of Albemarle (age 59), who takes the part of the Guards against us in our supplies of money, which is an odd consideration for a dull, heavy blockhead as he is, understanding no more of either than a goose: but the ability and integrity of Sir W. Coventry (age 39), in all the King's concernments, I do and must admire. After the Committee up, I and Sir W. Coventry walked an hour in the gallery, talking over many businesses, and he tells me that there are so many things concur to make him and his Fellow Commissioners unable to go through the King's work that he do despair of it, every body becoming an enemy to them in their retrenchments, and the King (age 37) unstable, the debts great and the King's present occasions for money great and many and pressing, the bankers broke and every body keeping in their money, while the times are doubtful what will stand. But he says had they come in two years ago they doubt not to have done what the King would by this time, or were the King in the condition as heretofore, when the Chancellor (age 58) was great, to be able to have what sums of money they pleased of the Parliament, and then the ill administration was such that instead of making good use of this power and money he suffered all to go to ruin. But one such sum now would put all upon their legs, and now the King would have the Parliament give him money when they are in an ill humour and will not be willing to give any, nor are very able, and besides every body distrusts what they give the King will be lost; whereas six months hence, when they see that the King can live without them, and is become steady, and to manage what he has well, he doubts not but their doubts would be removed, and would be much more free as well as more able to give him money. He told me how some of his enemies at the Duke of York's had got the Duke of York's commission for the Commissioners of his estate changed, and he and Brouncker (age 47) and Povy (age 53) left out: that this they did do to disgrace and impose upon him at this time; but that he, though he values not the thing, did go and tell the Duke of York what he heard, and that he did not think that he had given him any reason to do this, out of his belief that he would not be as faithful and serviceable to him as the best of those that have got him put out. Whereupon the Duke of York did say that it arose only from his not knowing whether now he would have time to regard his affairs; and that, if he should, he would put him into the commission with his own hand, though the commission be passed. He answered that he had been faithful to him, and done him good service therein, so long as he could attend it; and if he had been able to have attended it more, he would not have enriched himself with such and such estates as my Chancellor hath got, that did properly belong to his Royal Highness, as being forfeited to the King, and so by the King's gift given to the Duke of York. Hereupon the Duke of York did call for the commission, and hath since put him in. This he tells me he did only to show his enemies that he is not so low as to be trod on by them, or the Duke hath any so bad opinion of him as they would think. Here we parted, and I with Sir H. Cholmly (age 35) went and took a turn into the Park, and there talked of several things, and about Tangier particularly, and of his management of his business, and among other discourse about the method he will leave his accounts in if he should suddenly die, he says there is nothing but what is easily understood, but only a sum of £500 which he has entered given to E. E. S., which in great confidence he do discover to me to be my Lord Sandwich (age 42), at the beginning of their contract for the Mole, and I suppose the rest did the like, which was £1500, which would appear a very odd thing for my Lord to be a profiter by the getting of the contract made for them. But here it puts me into thoughts how I shall own my receiving of £200 a year from him, but it is his gift, I never asked of him, and which he did to Mr. Povy, and so there is no great matter in it.

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Samuel Pepys' Diary. 27 Dec 1668. So home, my coach coming for me, and there find Balty (age 28) and Mr. How, who dined with me; and there my wife and I fell out a little about the foulness of the linen of the table, but were friends presently, but she cried, poor heart! which I was troubled for, though I did not give her one hard word. Dinner done, she to church, and W. How and I all the afternoon talking together about my Lord Sandwich's (age 43) suffering his business of the prizes to be managed by Sir R. Cuttance, who is so deep in the business, more than my Lord knows of, and such a loggerhead, and under such prejudice, that he will, we doubt, do my Lord much wrong.

John Evelyn's Diary. 27 Dec 1683. I went to visite Sir John Chardin (age 40), a French gentleman who had travell'd three times by land into Persia, and had made many curious researches in his travells, of which he was now setting forth a relation. It being in England this year one of the severest frosts that had hap pen'd of many yeares, he told me the cold in Persia was much greater, the ice of an incredible thicknesse; that they had little use of iron in all that country, it being so moiste (tho' the aire admirably clear and healthy), that oyle would not preserve it from rusting, so that they had neither clocks nor watches; some padlocks they had for doores and boxes.

On 27 Dec 1777 George Irby 3rd Baron Boston was born to Frederick Irby 2nd Baron Boston (age 28) and Christian Methuen. He was baptised on 28 Jan 1778; King George III of Great Britain and Ireland (age 39) was his godfather.

On 27 Dec 1830 Lucius Cary 10th Viscount Falkland (age 27) and Amelia Fitzclarence Viscountess Falkland (age 23) were married at the Brighton Royal Pavilion. King William IV (age 65) gave away his daughter. The service was conducted by Bishop Charles Richard Sumner. She the illegitmate daughter of King William IV of the United Kingdom and Dorothea Bland aka "Mrs Jordan".

On 27 Dec 1951 Arthur Bulleid (age 89) died. He was buried in the cemetery, Wells Road, Glastonbury.

Isis. A Journal of the History of Science Society. Volume 43, Number 2. Jul., 1952. Obituaries:

Arthur Bulleid (1860-1951). English student of prehistoric archaeology. Discoverer of the Iron Age B site known as the Glastonbury Lake Village. Died on 27 Dec. 1951 at Midsomer Norton, Somerset. Obituary in Nature (169, 221, 1952). The Glastonbury lake village (Glastonbury 1911-17). The lake villages of Somerset (London 1924). The Meare lake village (Taunton Castle, Som. 1948).

On 27 Dec 1965 Christabel Florence Arthur Startin (age 70) died.

Memorial at the Church of St Peter and St Paul, Exton, Rutlandshire [Map].

Christabel Florence Arthur Startin: On 19 Jan 1895 she was born. In or before 1927 Commander Montague Wriothesley Noel and she were married.

Births on the 27th December

On 27 Dec 1350 King John I of Aragon was born to Peter IV King Aragon (age 31) and Eleanor Barcelona Queen Consort Aragon. Coefficient of inbreeding 2.45%.

On 27 Dec 1390 Anne Mortimer was born to Roger Mortimer 4th Earl March 6th Earl Ulster (age 16) and Eleanor Holland Countess March and Ulster (age 20) at County Westmeath. She a great x 2 granddaughter of King Edward III of England.

On 27 Dec 1552 William Cavendish 1st Earl Devonshire was born to William Cavendish (age 47) and Bess of Hardwick (age 25).

On 27 Dec 1583 Katherine West was born to Thomas West 2nd Baron De La Warr (age 27) and Anne Knollys Baroness De La Warr (age 28).

On 27 Dec 1681 Thomas Wyndham 1st Baron Wyndham was born to Colonel John Wyndham (age 33) and Alice Fownes.

On 27 Dec 1716 Martha Tyrrell Lady Drury was born to John Tyrrell 3rd Baronet (age 31).

On 27 Dec 1718 John Anstruther 2nd Baronet was born to John Anstruther 1st Baronet (age 40).

On 27 Dec 1725 Edward Montagu was born to John Montagu 2nd Duke Montagu (age 35) and Mary Churchill Duchess of Montagu (age 36).

On 27 Dec 1731 James Brydges 3rd Duke Chandos was born to Henry Brydges 2nd Duke Chandos (age 23) and Mary Bruce (age 21).

On 27 Dec 1777 Elizabeth Sykes was born to Christopher Sykes 2nd Baronet (age 28) and Elizabeth Tatton (age 29).

On 27 Dec 1777 George Irby 3rd Baron Boston was born to Frederick Irby 2nd Baron Boston (age 28) and Christian Methuen. He was baptised on 28 Jan 1778; King George III of Great Britain and Ireland (age 39) was his godfather.

On 27 Dec 1783 Bishop John Kaye was born.

On 27 Dec 1799 Roger Gresley 8th Baronet was born to Nigel Bowyer Gresley 7th Baronet (age 46) and Maria Elizabeth Garway Lady Gresley.

On 27 Dec 1824 Henry Page-Turner Barron 2nd Baronet was born to Henry Winston Barron 1st Baronet (age 29) and Anna Leigh Guy Page-Turner Lady Barron.

On 27 Dec 1847 Henry Fitzalan Howard 15th Duke of Norfolk was born to Henry Granville Fitzalan 14th Duke of Norfolk (age 32) and Augusta Mary Minna Catherine Lyons Duchess Norfolk (age 26).

On 27 Dec 1855 George Byron 9th Baron Byron was born to Frederick Byron (age 33).

On 27 Dec 1884 Geoffrey Twisleton-Wykeham-Fiennes 13th or 19th Baron Saye and Sele was born to Geoffrey Twisleton-Wykeham-Fiennes 12th or 18th Baron Saye and Sele (age 26) and Marion Ruperta Murray Lawes Baroness Saye and Sele.

On 27 Dec 1926 Michael Holland-Hibbert 6th Viscount Knutsford was born to Wilfrid Knutsford Holland-Hibbert (age 33).

Marriages on the 27th December

Before 27 Dec 1591 Edward de Vere 17th Earl of Oxford (age 41) and Elizabeth Trentham Maid of Honour Countess of Oxford were married. She by marriage Countess of Oxford. She brought her husband a dowry of £1000 bequeathed to her in her father's will, payable at the rate of 500 marks a year for three years. He the son of John de Vere 16th Earl of Oxford and Margery Golding Countess of Oxford.

On 27 Dec 1605 Philip Herbert 4th Earl Pembroke 1st Earl Montgomery (age 21) and Susan Vere Countess Montgomery (age 18) were married at Whitehall. The bride was escorted into the church by the Queen's (age 31) brother Prince Ulrik Oldenburg (age 26) and her son Henry Frederick Stewart Prince of Wales (age 11). She the daughter of Edward de Vere 17th Earl of Oxford and Anne Cecil Countess of Oxford. He the son of Henry Herbert 2nd Earl Pembroke and Mary Sidney Countess Pembroke (age 44).

On 27 Dec 1643 John Coryton 1st Baronet (age 22) and Elizabeth Mills Lady Coryton were married. They had two sons and two daughters.

Before 27 Dec 1663 Nicholas Gould 1st Baronet and Elizabeth Garrard Lady Gould (age 19) were married. She by marriage Lady Gould of the City of London.

Before 27 Dec 1675 Christopher Hatton 1st Viscount Hatton (age 43) and Frances Yelverton Viscountess Hatton were married.

On 27 Dec 1712 Charles Tracy 5th Viscount Tracy (age 22) and Elizabeth Keyt (age 23) were married.

Before 27 Dec 1820 Thomas Gage 7th Baronet (age 39) and Mary Anne Browne were married. She the daughter of Valentine Browne 1st Earl of Kenmare.

On 27 Dec 1830 Lucius Cary 10th Viscount Falkland (age 27) and Amelia Fitzclarence Viscountess Falkland (age 23) were married at the Brighton Royal Pavilion. King William IV (age 65) gave away his daughter. The service was conducted by Bishop Charles Richard Sumner. She the illegitmate daughter of King William IV of the United Kingdom and Dorothea Bland aka "Mrs Jordan".

Deaths on the 27th December

Around 27 Dec 1380 Robert Ferrers Baron Wem and Oversley (age 39) died.

On 31 Dec 1426 Thomas Beaufort 1st Duke Exeter (age 49) died at Greenwich, Kent [Map]. Some sources say 27 Dec 1426 and 01 Jan 1427. Duke Exeter and Earl Dorset extinct.

On 27 Dec 1439 Isabel Despencer Countess Warwick and Worcester (age 39) died. Her son Henry Beauchamp 1st Duke Warwick (age 14) succeeded 6th Baron Burghesh.

Around 27 Dec 1663 Nicholas Gould 1st Baronet died. Baronet Gould of the City of London extinct.

On 27 Dec 1685 Henriette Stanley Countess Strafford (age 55) died. She was buried at York Minster [Map].

On 27 Dec 1703 Thomas Cartwright (age 68) died.

On 27 Dec 1707 Robert Leke 3rd Earl Scarsdale (age 53) died without surviving issue. His nephew Nicholas Leke 4th Earl Scarsdale (age 25) succeeded 4th Earl Scarsdale, 4th Baron Deincourt of Sutton, 4th Baronet Leke of Sutton in Derbyshire.

On 27 Dec 1820 Thomas Gage 7th Baronet (age 39) died. His son Thomas Rokewood-Gage 8th Baronet (age 10) succeeded 8th Baronet Gage of Hengrave in Suffolk.

On 27 Dec 1851 Edward Dolman Scott 2nd Baronet (age 58) died. His son Francis Edward Scott 2nd and 3rd Baronet (age 27) succeeded 3rd Baronet Scott of Great Barr in Staffordshire.

On 27 Dec 1881 Augusta Anne Somerset Lady Barron (age 57) died.

On 27 Dec 1902 William Blunt 7th Baronet (age 76) died. His brother John Harvey Blunt 8th Baronet (age 63) succeeded 8th Baronet Blunt of the City of London.

On 27 Dec 1936 Ernestine Mary Brudenell-Bruce Countess Listowell (age 89) died.

On 27 Dec 1951 Arthur Bulleid (age 89) died. He was buried in the cemetery, Wells Road, Glastonbury.

Isis. A Journal of the History of Science Society. Volume 43, Number 2. Jul., 1952. Obituaries:

Arthur Bulleid (1860-1951). English student of prehistoric archaeology. Discoverer of the Iron Age B site known as the Glastonbury Lake Village. Died on 27 Dec. 1951 at Midsomer Norton, Somerset. Obituary in Nature (169, 221, 1952). The Glastonbury lake village (Glastonbury 1911-17). The lake villages of Somerset (London 1924). The Meare lake village (Taunton Castle, Som. 1948).

On 27 Dec 1954 William Cooper 4th Baronet (age 77) died. His son Charles Cooper 5th Baronet (age 48) succeeded 5th Baronet Cooper of Woollahra in New South Wales.