Source Book of London History, from the earliest times to 1800

by Unknown

LONDON AFTER JAMES II.'s ABDICATION (1688).

The citizens of London took a prominent part in the exciting events of the years 1688-89. In no part of the country was there a stronger anti-Popish feeling, and none of the believers and propagators of the notorious Popish Plot of Titus Oates had been so conspicuous as the Londoners. They took the lead in the demonstrations which attended the issue of the famous trial of the seven Bishops, and were foremost in suggesting the practicability of expelling James from the throne. As soon as the King realised his danger, he sent for the Lord Mayor and the Aldermen, and informed them of his determination to restore the City Charter and privileges, which had been confiscated by Charles II. He hoped by this to gain the powerful support of the citizens, who, however, were not to be bought by this tardy act of justice. The Court of Common Council sent an address to the Prince of Orange, promising him a welcome reception; and the Corporation waited on him, on his arrival in London, with an ardent address of congratulation.

The feelings of the mob, always fierce when roused by any unusual event, appear to have led them to somewhat violent measures in their expressions of hatred towards Roman Catholics. A similar panic, attended by similar outbreaks, was witnessed in 1780, when proposals to grant some relief to Papists caused the "Gordon Riots."

Source.—The London Mercury, December 12, 1688.

No sooner was the King's withdrawing known, but the mob consulted to wreak their vengeance on papists and popery; and last night began with pulling down and burning the new-built Mass-house near the arch, in Lincoln's Inn Fields: thence they went to Wild-house, the residence of the Spanish Ambassador, where they ransacked, destroyed and burnt all the ornamental and inside part of the chapel, some cartloads of choice books, manuscript, etc. And not content here, some villanous thieves and common rogues, no doubt, took this opportunity to mix with the youth, and they plunder'd the Ambassador's house of plate, jewels, money, rich goods, etc.: and also many other who had sent in there for shelter their money, plate, etc.: among which, one gentleman lost a trunk, in which was £800 in money, and a great quantity of plate. Thence they went to the Mass-house, at St. James's, near Smithfield, demolished it quite; from thence to Blackfriars near the Ditchside, where they destroyed Mr. Henry Hill's printing-house, spoiled his forms, letters, etc., and burnt 2 or 300 reams of paper, printed and unprinted: thence to the Mass-house in Bucklersbury and Lime-street, and there demolished and burnt as before: and this night they went to the Nuncio's, and other places at that end of the town; but finding the birds flown, and the bills on the door, they drew off: thence they went into the City, threatening to pull down all papists' houses, particularly one in Ivy Lane, and the market house upon Newgate Market, for no other reason but that one Burdet, a papist, was one of the farmers of the market; but by the prudence of the citizens and some of their trained bands, they were got off without mischief doing anywhere.

Tuesday night last, and all Wednesday, the apprentices were busy in pulling down the chapels, and spoiling the houses of papists; they crying out the fire should not go out till the Prince of Orange came to town. There were thousands of them on Wednesday at the Spanish Ambassador's, they not leaving any wainscot withinside the house or chapel, taking away great quantities of plate, with much money, household goods and writings, verifying the old proverb "All's fish that came to the net." The spoil of the house was very great, divers papists having sent their goods in thither, as judging that the securest place.

Then they went to the Lord Powis's great house in Lincoln's Inn Fields, wherein was a guard, and a bill upon the door, "This house is appointed for the Lord Delameer's quarters:" and some of the company crying, "Let it alone, the Lord Powis was against the Bishops going to the Tower," they offered no violence to it.

Afterwards they marched down the Strand with oranges upon their sticks, crying for the Prince of Orange, and went to the Pope's Nuncio's, but finding a bill upon the door, "This house is to be let," they desisted. Lastly, they did some damage to the house of the resident of the Duke of Tuscany, in the Haymarket, carrying away some of his goods, when one Captain Douglas, coming thither with a company of trained bands to suppress them, a soldier, unadvisedly firing at the boys with ball, shot the Captain through the back, of which he lies languishing. They also went to the houses of the French and other Ambassadors, but finding them deserted and the landlords giving them money, they marched off.

On Thursday, an order of the Lords coming forth, warning all persons to desist from pulling down any house, especially those of the Ambassadors, upon penalty of the utmost severity of the law to be inflicted on them: since which they have been very quiet.