Chronological Retrospect of the History of Yarmouth and Neighbourhood Part 10

1588.

John Stubbs and Roger Drury, Esqs., elected to Parliament.

William Cecil, Lord Burleigh, K.G., High Steward of the Borough. In 1578 he visited Yarmouth in company with the Earl of Leicester.

Preparations to receive the Spanish Armada. The fortifications put into the best state of defence, a boom thrown across the Haven at the south gates, and a mound of earth raised higher than the walls, called the "South Mount," on which was placed several pieces of ordnance. Another mound, the "New Mount," was afterwards thrown up near St. George's Chapel, and a warlike ship fitted out at the town's expense to annoy the enemy at sea, and preparations made to lodge and provision a garrison of 1,000 men. The sum of 1,355 4s. 9d. was a.s.sessed on the County.

1589.

No victualler or innkeeper allowed to retail any "strange beer" under pain of forfeiture.

1591.

An ale-house or tavern could only be kept by a Freeman or the widow of a Freeman.

Two Yarmouth ships required to carry out 150 soldiers to Normandy.

1592.

T. Damett, Esq., again returned to Parliament with John Felton, Esq.

1593.

The fishing nets used by boat owners valued at 50,000.

1596.

John Felton, Esq., again returned to Parliament with Sir H. Hobart.

Elizabethan House on the Quay, built by Benjamin Cowper. It was sold to John Carter, a friend of Oliver Cromwell. The supporters of Cromwell frequently a.s.sembled in this house, and it is supposed that the death of Charles I. was here determined on. It was for many years previously to Feb. 26th, 1867, the residence and property of the late Charles J.

Palmer, Esq., F.S.A.

Arthur Wilson born at Yarmouth. He published an account of the life and reign of James I, written with much freedom, and displaying a thorough knowledge of Court intrigues; but the liberties he took in exposing the propensities of that monarch and his son towards the Catholic cause, brought upon him the vehement censure of the friends of the Stuart family, who said that he had written from conjectures rather than from records, and that his work was more like a pasquinade than an authentic history. He was for many years an attendant on the Earl of Ess.e.x, and afterwards steward to the Earl of Warwick. He died in 1652.

1597.

Seven hundred vessels in the Haven at one time.

1598.

The number of Rows was seven score (140).

The south side of the Hospital School used as a House of Correction.

Robert Devereux, Earl of Ess.e.x, K.G., High Steward of the Borough.

1599.

Rev. Thomas Nash published the "Lenten Stuffe," containing a poetical and satirical description of Yarmouth, &c., and a play in "Praise of a Red Herring." He was born at Lowestoft in 1567, and died in 1600. He was called by Dr. Lodge "the true English Gifford or Aretino." His name is mentioned by Michael Drayton, and also in the play, "_Return from Parna.s.sus_." (_Vide_ page 486, Pimperley's "Encyclopaedia of Literary and Typ. Anecdote.")

One penny per swill by day and 1d. at night were charged for carting herrings from the beach.

1599 to 1660.

Caister Castle deserted as a residence.

1600.

Sir Henry Hobart and T. Damett, Esq., again returned to Parliament; the latter, with John Wheeler, Esq., also returned on the accession of James I.

The Dutch Chapel, South Quay, built, and afterwards converted into a Theatre.

Every Alderman, or his deputy, with a constable, ordered to visit all ale-houses and taverns twice a week, and make inquiries respecting the customers.

1601.