OF

THE COURT OF ENGLAND//

FROM THE

REVOLUTION IN 1688

TO THE

DEATH OF GEORGE THE SECOND.

BY JOHN HENEAGE JESSE

AUTHOR OF

"MEMOIRS OF THE COURT OF ENGLAND DURING THE REIGN OF THE STUARTS."

IN THREE VOLUMES.

VOL. I

Λ LONDON:

RICHARD BENTLEY, NEW BURLINGTON STREET, Publisher in Ordinary to Her Majesty.

1843.

A

1875, March 22. Walker Bequest.

Vol 1.-11L.)

CONTENTS

OF THE FIRST VOLUME.

KING WILLIAM III.

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CHAPTER I.

-

Preliminary remarks. League of Utrecht formed by the

Netherlands in 1579.— Character and constitution of that

League. -William of Nassau, first Prince of Orange, appointed

its head by the title of Stadtholder. His character. - His

assassination in 1584. His son, Prince Maurice, succeeds

to the office of Stadtholder, and is successful against the

Spaniards. His death. Succeeded by his younger brother,

Henry Frederick. — Acknowledgment by Spain of the indepen-

dence of the United Provinces. Character of William the

Second, fourth Stadtholder.- Abolition of that office.-Prince

William Henry, son of William the Second, afterwards William

the Third of England, born in 1650. Nephew to Kings

Charles the Second and James the Second. - His early

studies. Sir William Temple's favourable opinion of his

capacity. Visits England in his twentieth year, and is en-

tertained by the University of Oxford. - Probable motives

of his visit. Entertaining anecdote. - Charles the Second's

distrust of William, and the latter's politic conduct while in

England.League between France and England against the

States of Holland.

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VOL. I.

b

Page 1

CHAPTER II.

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The Dutch Republic ill-prepared to resist the forces of

France and England. Speedily overrun by the French

troops. Increasing unpopularity of the Pensionary, John De

Witt, and the Republican party. — Appointments of Captain

and Admiral-General conferred upon William by the unani-

mous voice of the States. His early success against the

French. Popular insurrections in the principal Dutch towns.

-

The office of Stadtholder revived and conferred on William.

-

-

- Cruel massacre of the De Witts at the Hague in 1672.

Interesting particulars relative to that frightful tragedy.-

Marked improvement in the state of affairs in Holland. · At-

tempt by France and England to inveigle the young Stadt-

holder into a treaty injurious to the interests of his country. -

His noble conduct on the occasion. His successful campaign

against the troops of Louis the Fourteenth. Treaty of peace

between the French and the Dutch signed in February 1674.—

Office of Stadtholder settled in perpetuity on William and his

descendants. Anecdote of William and Count Starenburg.

War renewed between France and Holland. - Personal bravery

of William at the battle of Seneffe.-Receives a severe wound

at the siege of Maestricht.

-

-

Page 16

CHAPTER III.

-

General desire of the Dutch for peace. William's opposi-

tion to it. Commencement of the campaign of 1677, and

defeat of William at the battle of Mount-Cassel. - His master-

-

-

ly retreat. His second visit to England in order to demand

the hand of the Princess Mary, daughter of James, Duke of

York. His conversation with Sir William Temple at the

Hague on this subject. -Introduced to the Princess at White-

hall, and is much pleased with her manners and person.

Charles the Second's fruitless endeavours to win over Wil-

liam to his interests and those of France. Marriage of Wil-