RESTORATION:
THE ROARING 60s
Power, Politics and Preservation
Restoration: the roaring 60s
England changes direction in 1660
By the late 1650s, the English experiment in alternative government was running out of steam and by May 1660, the monarchy had been restored. With Charles II on the throne, Royalists gradually returned to England from their exile on the Continent, including Cosin.
The 1660s were a decade of ups and downs. At the top of the hierarchy, the king and his circle enjoyed their outrageous activities, whilst at the lower end of the social scale the change of regime had made little difference.
Exotic consumables were brought in from all parts of the world, reflecting England’s growing global network of trade and overseas colonies. This thirst for luxury goods such as tobacco, coffee, sugar, chocolate, and tea came at a huge cost to human life.
Royal flamboyance in book form
This Book of Common Prayer was bound by or in the workshop of Samuel Mearne, who was made official bookbinder to the king in June 1660. It was made for the Royal Chapel, along with a Bible in a matching binding, and later given to Bishop Nathaniel Crewe.
The Book of Common Prayer and administration of the sacraments and other rites and ceremonies of the Church according to the use of the Church of England. London: printed by his Maj[es]ties printers, 1662. DUL SB++ 0021 (formerly Cosin B.1.12)
Restoration: the roaring 60s
POLITICS, PLAGUE, FAITH AND FIRE
With Charles II’s entry into London, the monarchy was restored in England.
However, things had changed. As a consequence of the execution of Charles I, the idea that the king could not go against the will of the people had been established. Charles II had less authority than his predecessors but was more involved in parliamentary politics, seeking advice from a small group of ministers and attending debates in the House of Lords.
Despite this active engagement in politics, Charles found time to have fun with gambling, horse and yacht racing, theatricals, and the sciences. Then there were the numerous mistresses.
Reflecting court culture, when theatres reopened bawdy comedies proved distinctly popular and libertines such as the Earl of Rochester set the tone in poetry.
But not all was well.
The 1660s were also a time of pestilence, religious tensions, and a dramatic fire that destroyed a large part of London. Charles’s intention to introduce greater religious toleration in England hit the wall during the Cavalier Parliament.
Meanwhile, John Cosin was made Bishop of Durham. Upon his arrival, he found the bishopric in a state of chaos and began to re-establish episcopal authority through church reform, a building programme, and vigorous estate management.
The end of Puritan restraint
Restoration drama and poetry are known for their witty, but sometimes explicit, content. From the relatively chaste love-struck sighs of Aphra Behn to the unambiguous description of a love-filled night by the “Marquess of M.” and Buckingham’s stinging rejection of Lady Fortune, these truly are poems for all occasions.
Chorus poetarum: or, poems on several occasions. By the Duke of Buckingham, the late Lord Rochester, Sir John Denham, Sir Geo. Etheridge, Andrew Marvel Esq, the famous Spencer, Madam Behn … London: printed for Benjamin Bragg … 1694. DUL SB 0679
Luxury abounds
Global trade introduced all kinds of exotic foods, drinks, and objects to England. Tea, coffee, and tobacco were consumed initially as medicine, but rapidly became part of the diet. By the mid-17th century, most towns had pipemakers to ensure a steady supply for avid consumers.
Mid-17th century claypipe (London Type 5) DURMA.1994.189, found during excavations for the University Library extension (Pace Building, Palace Green) in 1965.
The taking of the fume
Tobias Venner was one physician who touted the medicinal benefits of smoking but disapproved of “vulgar tobacconists” who smoked immoderately and wasted their time, wealth, and health on a bad habit. However, he considered that tobacco was good for chest and stomach ailments caused by cold, moisture, and bad air.
Tobias Venner, Via recta ad vitam longam … Whereunto is annexed by the same author, a very necessary, and compendius treatise of the famous baths of Bathe. With a censure of the medicinall faculties of the water of St. Vincents-Rocks neer the city of Bristoll. As also an accurate treatise concerning tobacco. All which are likewise amplified since the former impressions. London: printed by James Flesher, for Henry Hood, 1650. DUL Routh 69.G.26
This day, much against
my will, I did in Drury Lane see two or three houses marked with a red cross upon the doors
Samuel Pepys Diary, 7 June 1665
To my great trouble, [I] hear that the plague has come into the City
Although Samuel Pepys was only confronted with the reality of the plague in early June 1665, the first victim fell in the Parish of St Giles in December 1664. The harrowing bills of mortality trace the inevitable spread of the pandemic ripping through London, reaching its peak in September 1665.
John Graunt, London’s dreadful visitation: or, a collection of all the bills of mortality for this present year. London: printed and are to be sold by E. Cotes …, 1665 DUL Routh 67.E.18/3
We had no such thing as printed newspapers in those days
Writing in the early 1720s, Daniel Defoe noted that rumours had circulated about the disease reaching the Low Countries months before the first victims were discovered in London, but because there were no printed reports to confirm this and the government kept its concerns secret, people soon forgot about it.
Daniel Defoe, The history of the great plague in London, in the year 1665, containing observations and memorials of the most remarkable occurrences … London: printed by H. Teape …, 1819 DUL Routh 49.K.5
The infection of the plague of pestilence hath continued
London was by no means the only town in which the plague affected the population. This statement from the Mayor of Newcastle upon Tyne describes how the plague affected poor people particularly in the colder months of 1666.
Certificate of Henry Maddison, mayor of Newcastle upon Tyne, respecting persons infected with the plague. DUL MSP 20/3, p. 11
But I allow it not
The summe of money now in my Register’s hand is 40l, besides some odd false money throwne into the basons at the Church doors. There is the summe of 10l more gathered in Newcastle, and kept by the Mayor and the Vicar there for the relief of their owne poor, but I allow it not, and tell them they must pay it in to my Register…
As Bishop of Durham, Cosin was charged with raising money for those affected by the plague. In this letter to the Vice-Chancellor of Cambridge, he is pleased to offer £40, with £10 still to come from Newcastle, where the mayor had wanted to distribute it among the local poor.
This dreadful fire has wholly consumed
This dreadful fire has wholly consumed
London was a major fire hazard with its densely packed wooden houses and in September 1666, the city was completely gutted by a fire that lasted five days. The Stationers’ Company (the guild for printers and booksellers) was hit particularly hard. Its stock of printed publications went up in flames, leaving many families involved in the book trade destitute.
Edward Waterhouse, A short narrative of the late dreadful fire in London: together vvith certain considerations remarkable therein, and deducible therefrom; not unseasonable for the perusal of this age. London: printed by W[illiam]. G[odbid]. for Rich. Thrale …, 1667. DUL SB 0897
Support for those ruined in the late dismal fire
Once again, church attendees in the diocese of Durham were called upon to be generous in their donations. Not long after sending £40 to Cambridge for plague victims, Cosin was able to inform the Mayor of London that he had raised £200 for those affected by the Great Fire.
An Accompt of the Collections gathered in the severall Parishes within the Dioces of Durham towards the reliefe of the distressed Estaite and Condition of those who have been undone by the late dreadfull fire in London: upon the fast day October the 10th 1666: according to his Maties Proclamation. DUL MSP 20/12, p. 41.
Letter from John [Cosin] Bishop of Durham, to the Mayor of London enclosing a bill of exchange for £200; Durham Castle, 14 December 1666. DUL MSP 20/6, p. 19.
Restoration: the roaring 60s
COSIN BACK IN DURHAM
The secular and spiritual authority of the Bishops of Durham was significantly reduced when John Cosin became bishop in December 1660. Before the Civil War in the 1640s, the Bishop of Durham had been the largest landholder in County Durham. But Cromwell abolished the bishopric and lands were sold off to the highest bidder. Durham Castle and Cathedral were used as prisons and were damaged. Auckland Castle was in serious disrepair, or as Cosin had it, 'utterly destroyed by the ravinous sacrilege of Sir Arthur Hasilrig'.
One of Cosin’s first actions as bishop was to commission a survey of the properties belonging to the bishopric to see how much money was coming in. In the following years, he enthusiastically embraced a programme of building repairs and creating new buildings. Most of these were on Palace Green in Durham, the area between Castle and Cathedral overlooking the River Wear and the traditional centre of the Bishops’ power.
With Cosin increasingly held up in London due to ill health, these activities were delegated to his secretary Miles Stapylton. The constant stream of letters from Cosin to Stapylton gives us insight into Cosin as a person and into the progress of various building projects.
Hendrick Danckerts (circle of), Durham Castle and Cathedral with Bishop’s barge, oil on canvas, late 17th century. DUR.DU.18.1230
Hospital for the poor, founded by me, John Cosin
One of the buildings Cosin constructed on Palace Green was a hospital or almshouse for eight poor parishioners. A hospital was not a medical institution, but a space for people to find shelter. It was an act of charity, but those living there were reminded of their benefactor every time they came through the front door, which had Cosin's coat of arms above it.
Plan of the almshouses drawn by John Langstaffe, around 1665. DUL MSP 91, f. 2r
Episcopal visitation articles
Cosin was not only concerned with rebuilding the bishops’ authority as secular landowners, he also reintroduced a regular programme of episcopal visitations, surveys administered to all parishes in his jurisdiction, to ensure the correct form of religious practice was followed. Church ministers were fined or removed from office if this was not the case.
John Cosin, Articles of inquiry concerning matters ecclesiastical, exhibited to the ministers, church-wardens, and side-men of every parish within the diocess of Durham… London: printed by T. Garthwait, 1662. DUL Cosin L.4.33/6
'Durham Book'
The restoration of the monarchy in 1660 was also a moment of reflection for the Anglican Church. Cosin had been thinking about revising the Book of Common Prayer since the 1620s and now he became involved in a state-sanctioned project. This copy is full of Cosin’s annotations and suggested changes.
The booke of common prayer and administration of the sacraments. And other rites and ceremonies of the Church of England. Imprinted at London: by Robert Barker and Iohn Bill, printers to the Kings most excellent Maiestie, Anno Dom. 1619 [i.e. 1620] DUL SB+ 0904 (formerly Cosin D.3.5)
A plea for tax relief
As part of his programme to rebuild the bishops’ powerbase in Durham, Cosin petitioned the king for eight years of relief of paying “first fruits”, a taxation on the income from benefices, to support the repair of houses and chapels in his jurisdiction.
Copy of a petition by John Cosin, bishop of Durham, to the king, for 8 years to pay his first fruits as he has much rebuilding to do of houses and chapels after the ruinations of Sir Arthur Hasilrig and the Scots in the “late discordant times”, [1660]. DUL MSP 25, f. 37v
Transcript: May it please y[ou]r Majesty, in consideration of the great Charges & sum[m]es of money, which will arise to no lesse then ten thousand pounds, & wh[i]ch yo[u]r Petitioner is needfully to expend for the Reparation and Rebuilding of his Houses & Chappels, wh[i]ch in these late disordered times were pulled downe & ruinated by S[i]r Arthure Haselrigg & the Scot to allow y[ou]re said Petitioner (under you[re] Majesties Privvy seale) eight years wherein to pay the said ffirst fruits by 204l. 17s 5d p[er] annu[m] wh[i]ch will in the total make the said summe 1638l. 19s. 3d.ob.
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in which Cosin builds his library
Built with Shorthand