96 The Life of William, Duke of Newcastle 



plunder to the soldiery, and twenty-two great guns, and many 

 ensigns to us. Nor was there before this, wanting to so much 

 virtue, equal felicity, for our most beloved Consort, after 

 a dismal tempest coming from Holland, being drove ashore 

 at Burlington, and undergoing a more grievous danger, by the 

 excursions of the rebels, than the tossing and tumbling of the 

 sea ; he having heard of it, speedily goes to her with his army, 

 and dutifully receiveth her, in safety brings her, and with all 

 security conducts her to us at Oxford. Whereas therefore 

 the aforesaid Earl hath raised so many monuments of his 

 virtue and fidelity towards us, our Queen, children, and our 

 kingdom ; when also he doth at this time establish with 

 safety, and with his power defend, the northern parts of our 

 kingdom against the rebels ; when, lastly, nothing more con- 

 cerns mankind and princes, and nothing can be more just, than 

 that he may receive for his deeds a reward suitable to his name, 

 which requires that he who defends the Borders should be 

 created by us, Governor or Marquess of the Borderers. Know 

 therefore ', etc. 



A Copy of the Preamble of my Lord's Patent for Duke, Englished 1 



' Rex, etc., Salutem. — Whereas our most beloved and 

 faithful cousin and counsellor, William, Earl and Marquess 

 of Newcastle-upon-Tyne, etc., worthy by his famous name, 

 blood, and office, of large honours, has been eminent in so 

 many, and so great services performed to us and our father 

 (of ever-blessed memory) that his merits are still producing 

 new effects, we have decreed likewise to add more honour 

 to his former. And though these his such eminent actions, 

 which he hath faithfully and valiantly performed to us, our 

 father, and our kingdom, speak loud enough in themselves ; 

 yet since the valiant services of a good subject are always plea- 

 sant to remember, we have thought fit to have them in part 

 related for a good example and encouragement to virtue. 



' The great proofs of his wisdom and piety are sufficiently 

 known to us from our younger years, and we shall always 



1 Collins' Historical Collections, p. 43, dated 16th March 166-*. Newcastle asked 

 for a dukedom. ' I have received yours by your son ', replied Charles II, on June 7, 

 1664, ' and am resolved to grant your request. Send me therefore word what title 

 you desire to have, or whether you will keep your old, and leave the rest to me.' — Port- 

 land MSS., ii, 145. 



