Chronological Retrospect of the History of Yarmouth and Neighbourhood Part 16

1683.

William Paston, Earl of Yarmouth, High Steward of the Borough.

Spire of St. Nicholas' Church, being of wood and lead, set on fire by lightning. John Grice received from the Corporation a piece of plate, value 10, for extinguishing it.

1684.

April 26th. First Yarmouth Fair held.

May 7th. John Hall, Esq., died, aged 61 years. He was a merchant, Alderman by the old and new charters, and twice Bailiff of the town.

July 22nd. The charter granted by which a Mayor was subst.i.tuted for the 2 Bailiffs, 18 Aldermen instead of 36, and 36 Common Councilmen instead of 18. By Charles II. a High Steward, a Recorder, a Sub-Steward, 2 Coroners, 2 Chamberlains, and a Clerk of the Courts were also appointed.

Southtown was added to the liberties of the Borough. (See 1608, 1687, and 1763.) This charter also empowered them to hold _two_ fairs yearly.

The instrument was brought from London by the eldest son of the Earl of Yarmouth to Haddiscoe, and given to George Ward, Esq., the first Mayor elected. He, accompanied by a large train of carriages, and from 300 to 400 hors.e.m.e.n, proceeded to Haddiscoe to receive it. Great rejoicing in the town.

Lady Yarmouth, wife of the above Earl, died.

The Corporation Sword of Justice, carried before the Mayor, adopted.

Sir Thomas Medowe, Mayor, being the second elected the same year.

Bailiffs prior to this year were chosen instead of Mayor.

Lord Huntingdon and George England, Esq., returned to Parliament; also in 1686 and 1688.

Town Charters surrendered to Charles II.

1685.

May 1st. Earl of Yarmouth invited Sir A. Dean and Sir H. Shiers to view the Haven and Piers. The latter was presented at the "Three Feathers"

Inn with 100 guineas for his journey. He also visited the town in 1687, accompanied by Lord Dartmouth, who recommended that a ship be sunk, or jetty made, northward of the north Pier, to prevent the sand from coming into the Haven, and that a basin be formed westward of the "brush," with a sluice to let out the water forcibly into the Haven towards the latter ebb.

1686.

Lord Huntingdon and George England, Esq., elected by the Freemen to serve in Parliament. The right of Freemen to vote was ever acquiesced in by the Corporation.

1687.

Aug. 12th. Prince George of Denmark landed at Yarmouth, and went post to Windsor.

James II. ejected 5 Aldermen and 12 Common Councilmen from the Corporate Body; and in the following year 3 Aldermen and 4 Councilmen, and placed others in their stead. This right of displacing the Corporate body was reserved by the King.

1688.

June 24th. Tumult and riotous proceedings took place in the town through the bigoted conduct of King James II.

Lord Huntingdon and G. England, Esq., again elected, and sent to the Convention Parliament the same year. Re-elected in 1690 and 1695.

Prince George of Denmark's regiment of Dragoons sent to Yarmouth; and in 1696, two companies of Lieut.-General Bellasis' Royal Fusiliers were quartered in the town.

The office of Mayor ceased, and the Government of the town again reverted to two Bailiffs, under King James II.'s proclamation. This continued till the time of Queen Anne. (See 1702.)

Haven expenses for the year, 2,323 5s. 4d.

1689.

Feb. 16th. Prince of Orange and the Princess Mary proclaimed in the Market Place.

George England and Samuel Fuller, Esqs., returned to Parliament; also in 1695, 1698, and 1700.

1690.

May 16th. Edmund Thaxter, Alderman and twice Bailiff, died, aged 62.

The Maces carried by the Mayor's officers ordered to be made. At New Romney are now (1884) two maces used here at Herring Fair.

1691.

Anthony Ellys, Bishop of St. David's, and author of several theological works, was born at Yarmouth. Died in 1761.

1692.