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Rye House Plot is in 1660-1684 Restoration.
Before 21st March 1683 the Rye House Plot was an attempt to assassinate King Charles II of England Scotland and Ireland (age 52) and his brother King James II of England Scotland and Ireland (age 49) as they passed Rye House, Hoddesdon when were returning from the races at Newmarket, Suffolk on 1st April 1683. In the event a fire at Newmarket, Suffolk on the 22nd March 1683 the races were cancelled.
After 21st March 1683 Edward Hungerford (age 50) was implicated and his home was searched during the Rye House Plot.
Before 21st July 1683 Robert Sawyer (age 50) prosecuted members of the Rye House Plot.
On 21st July 1683 William Russell (age 43) was beheaded by Jack Ketch at Lincoln's Inn for his involvement in the Rye House Plot. The executioner was so inept that he took four axe blows to separate the head from the body. After the first failed blow his victim looked up and said "You dog, did I give you 10 guineas to use me so inhumanely?".
On 7th December 1683 Algernon Sidney (age 60) was beheaded at Tower Hill [Map] during the Rye House Plot.
On 20th June 1684 Thomas Armstrong (age 51) was dragged by hurdle to Tower Hill [Map] where he was hanged, drawn and quartered for his involvement in the Rye House Plot.
In 1685 Charles Gerard 2nd Earl Macclesfield (age 26) was sentenced to death for his part in the Rye House Plot but was subsequently pardoned by King Charles II of England Scotland and Ireland (age 54).
A True Account of the Horrid Conspiracy. But the whole Evidence against Walcot being elear and positive Testimony, and what he pleaded for himself being only his own single Affirmation and Negation, without any support of Witnesses,the Jury immediately brought him in Guilty of High Treason. According to which Sentence he was Executed on the 20th of the said Month [20th June 1683]. At the time of his Execution he again acknowledg'd what he had told the King, and writ to the Secretary of State, 'That the Business was laid very deep he said, An Act of Indulgence would do well, because the King had a great many Men to take Judgment of: He persisted, he was to have had no hand in his Majesties Death, though he confess'd it was proposed when he was present: He declared he did not know that this Conspiracy was older than the August or September before: but so old he own'd it was.'
Before July 1683 Ford Grey 1st Earl Tankerville (age 27) was arrested for his involvement in the Rye House Plot. He ecasped from the Tower of London [Map] in July 1683.
On 8th July 1683 John Hampden of Great Hampden (age 30) was sent to the Tower of London [Map] on the discovery of the Rye House Plot.
John Evelyn's Diary. 13th July 1683. As I was visiting Sir Thomas Yarborough and his Lady, in Covent Garden [Map], the astonishing news was brought to us of the Earl of Essex (age 51) having cut his throat, having been but three days a prisoner in the Tower [Map], and this happened on the very day and instant that Lord Russell (age 43) was on his trial, and had sentence of death [See Rye House Plot.]. This accident exceedingly amazed me, my Lord Essex being so well known by me to be a person of such sober and religious deportment, so well at his ease, and so much obliged to the King (age 53). It is certain the King and Duke (age 49) were at the Tower, and passed by his window about the same time this morning, when my Lord asking for a razor, shut himself into a closet, and perpetrated the horrid act. Yet it was wondered by some how it was possible he should do it in the manner he was found, for the wound was so deep and wide, that being cut through the gullet, windpipe, and both the jugulars, it reached to the very vertebræ of the neck, so that the head held to it by a very little skin as it were; the gapping too of the razor, and cutting his own fingers, was a little strange; but more, that having passed the jugulars he should have strength to proceed so far, that an executioner could hardly have done more with an ax. There were odd reflections upon it.
John Evelyn's Diary. 15th July 1683. The public was now in great consternation on the late plot and conspiracy; his Majesty (age 53) very melancholy, and not stirring without double guards; all the avenues and private doors about Whitehall and the Park shut up, few admitted to walk in it. The Papists, in the meantime, very jocund; and indeed with reason, seeing their own plot brought to nothing, and turned to ridicule, and now a conspiracy of Protestants, as they called them.
John Evelyn's Diary. 20th July 1683. Several of the conspirators of the lower form were executed at Tyburn [Map]; and the next day.
A True Account of the Horrid Conspiracy. Upon the whole Process he was found guilty of High Treason. But in stead of Drawing, Hanging and Quartering, the usual and legal Penalty of that Crime,the Execution was by his Majesties Clemency changed into that of Beheading. Though it is well known,this very Prerogative of the Kings having it in his Power to alter the Punishment of High Treason, had been vehemently disputed by the Party, and particularly by the Lord Russel himself in the Lord Stafford's Case.
The said Lord Russel (age 43) at the time of his Death, which was the 21st of that Month [21st July 1683], deliver'd a Paper to the Sheriffs, and left other Copies of it with his Friends, whereby it was immediately dispers'd amongst the People, the general drift of it being to make odious Insinuations against the Government, invidious Reflections on the Ministers of his Majesties Justice and undue Extenuations of his own Fault.
John Evelyn's Diary. 21st July 1683. Lord Russell (age 43) was beheaded in Lincoln's Inn Fields, the executioner giving him three butcherly strokes. The speech he made, and the paper which he gave the Sheriff of declaring his innocence, the nobleness of the family, the piety and worthiness of the unhappy gentleman, wrought much pity, and occasioned various discourses on the plot.
A History of the County of Buckingham: Volume 3: Parishes: Chenies. Lord William Russell (age 43), son of the fifth earl, is perhaps the most interesting figure in connexion with Chenies [Map]. As a member of the country party in the House of Commons he backed the Bill excluding the Duke of York from the throne. Being afterwards implicated in the Rye House Plot he was executed for treason in Lincoln's Inn Fields on 21 July 1683 and has earned for himself the name of 'patriot' or martyr of the Revolution52. He was buried at Chenies and his widow Lady Rachel Russell (age 47) visited the church in later years, when she decided to 'make a little monument' and erected the one to the fifth earl (age 66) and his wife (age 67) with medallions of their children, conspicuous among which is that of Lord William Russell, ranged in rows on either side54. Chenies has remained in the Russell family until the present day55, the present Duke of Bedford being lord of the manor, but it is many years since the family ceased to use the old manor-house as a residence.
Note 53. Dict. Nat. Biog.; G.E.C. Complete Peerage.
Note 54. Froude, op. cit. iv, 517.
Note 55. 55. Feet of F. Div. Co. Mich. 8 & 9 Eliz.; Chan. Inq. p.m. (Ser. 2), ccxi, 132; ccccxxxv, 118; Cal. S. P. Dom. 1581-90, p. 380; Acts of P.C. 1601-4, p. 145; Hist.MSS. Com. Rep. xii, App. v, 131; Recov. R. Hil. 11 Jas. I, m. 97; Mich. 14 Jas. I, m. 136; Mich. 6 Geo. II, m. 291; Mich. 1 Geo. III, m. 139; Trin. 49 Geo. III, m. 152; Fine R. 16 Jas. I, pt. i, no. 4; Lysons, Mag. Brit. i (3), 584.
John Evelyn's Diary. 23rd September 1683. There was this day a collection for rebuilding Newmarket, consumed by an accidental fire, which removing his Majesty (age 53) thence sooner than was intended, put by the assassins, who were disappointed of their rendezvous and expectation by a wonderful providence. This made the King more earnest to render Winchester the seat of his autumnal field diversions for the future, designing a palace there, where the ancient castle stood; infinitely indeed preferable to Newmarket for prospects, air, pleasure, and provisions. The surveyor has already begun the foundation for a palace, estimated to cost £35,000, and his Majesty is purchasing ground about it to make a park, etc.
John Evelyn's Diary. 23rd November 1683. The Duke of Monmouth (age 34), till now proclaimed traitor on the pretended plot for which Lord Russell was lately beheaded, came this evening to Whitehall [Map] and rendered himself, on which were various discourses.
A True Account of Thomas Armstrong. A True Account of the Apprehending of sr. Thomas Armstrong (age 51) who was taken Leyden in Holland and brought over into England, and this day, conveyed to Newgate. Jun, the 11th, 1684.
sr. Thomas Armsirong, was one of those execrable Villains, who with others conspired against the life of his sacred Majesty, and by their private Plots & Designs the Eversion of the Government both in Church and state, When these their Treasonable Practices were brought to light, and Heaven wrought so wonderful a preservation of of his sacred Majesty and his Royal Highness: the Conspirators knowing their own guilt, and fearing that deserved punishment which attends such horrid Crimes fled from Justice, of which some have been apprehended, try'd, condemned, and executed; whilst others made their escapes into foreign parts as this person did; tho he was one of those in the Proclamation for whom was offered five hundred pound reward, yet not withstanding he got over undiscovered , whilst they who either conceal'd or assisted him. were as notorious Enemies and rank Traytors,as those who were more publick offenders.
He arrived safe at Holland, where he met with others of his own Principles and Designs, and having fled from Justice in Ergland thought to abscond there, but Mr. Chudley who is his Majesties Envoy at the Hague, being acquainted that several late Consspirators were come over to holland, and were lurking about leyden and other places, obtaind leave of the states to search those parts he had suspicion of, and so take into Custody all such offenders, who having been Rebels and Traytors to so good and gracious a Prince, could no ways deserve the least favour or protection from them. The Officers who were ordered to search, took sr. Thomas Armstrong, who was put on Board the Katharine Yatch, and this Morning guarded with several Files of Musqueteers; was brought from Greenwich, and put into Newgate, where he remains till further order. It is reported that they who apprehended sr. Thomas Armstrong, very narrowly missed on the Lord Gray, and Ferguson, who were gone from his Lodgings, but an hour before, and may in time be met with, and brought to answer for their Crimes according to law and justice.
A True Account of the Horrid Conspiracy. Then was he [Thomas Armstrong (age 51)] order'd to be Executed June the 20th [1684]. At the place of Execution he likewife deliver'd the Sheriffs a Paper, wherein he continued to Object against the legal Course of the Proceedings upon him, complaining, 'That with an unordinary roughness he had been condemned and made a President, though HoIIoway, being also Outlaw'd, had his Tryal offer'd him a little before.'
As to the new Evidence against him, which the Kings Atturney mention'd at theKings-Bench, he only answer'd it by a bold and flat denial, affirming upon his Death, He never had any Design against the Kngs Life, nor the Life of any Man both which may be easily allowed to be equally true.
John Evelyn's Diary. 22nd June 1684. Last Friday Sir Tho. Armstrong (deceased) was executed at Tyburn [Map] for treason, without tryal, having ben outlaw'd and apprehended in Holland, on the conspiracy of the Duke of Monmouth (age 35), Lord Russell, &c. which gave occasion of discourse to people and lawyers, in reguard it was on an outlawry that judgment was given and execution.
John Evelyn's Diary. 28th June 1683. After the Popish Plot, there was now a new and (as they called it) a Protestant Plot discovered, that certain Lords and others should design the assassination of the King (age 53) and the Duke (age 49) as they were to come from Newmarket, with a general rising of the nation, and especially of the city of London, disaffected to the present Government. Upon which were committed to the Tower [Map], the Lord Russell (age 43), eldest son of the Earl of Bedford (age 66), the Earl of Essex, Mr. Algernon Sidney (age 60), son to the old Earl of Leicester, Mr. Trenchard, Hampden, Lord Howard of Escrick, and others. A proclamation was issued against my Lord Grey, the Duke of Monmouth (age 34), Sir Thomas Armstrong, and one Ferguson, who had escaped beyond sea; of these some were said to be for killing the King, others for only seizing on him, and persuading him to new counsels, on the pretense of the danger of Popery, should the Duke live to succeed, who was now again admitted to the councils and cabinet secrets. The Lords Essex and Russell were much deplored, for believing they had any evil intention against the King, or the Church; some thought they were cunningly drawn in by their enemies for not approving some late counsels and management relating to France, to Popery, to the persecution of the Dissenters, etc. They were discovered by the Lord Howard of Escrick and some false brethren of the club, and the design happily broken; had it taken effect, it would, to all appearance, have exposed the Government to unknown and dangerous events; which God avert!