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Special Collections and University Archives : University Libraries John Fenwick Collection of Radcliffiana 1600-1853 3 vols. (1 linear foot) Call no.: MS 989 Collection overview The title Earl of Derwentwater was created under King James II in 1688 for Francis Radcliffe of Northumberland, and for sixty years thereafter, members of the Radcliffe family stood among the most prominent Jacobites in the north of England. One of Francis' grandson, James, the third Earl of Derwentwater, became embroiled in the Rebellion of 1715 and was beheaded in the London Tower for high treason, and another son, Charles, the so-called 4th Earl, was beheaded for his part in the Rebellion of 1745. Assembled by John Fenwick, who may have been a distant relative of the Radcliffes, this collection of Radcliffiana includes a mixture of original documents, 19th century transcriptions of originals, published works, and prints, all pertaining to the Jacobite Earls of Derwentwater. Set into paper frames and bound into more or less elaborate leather volumes, the documents cover the period from the English Civil War through the fallout after the execution of the 3rd Earl. They are focused primarily on the personal fates of the Earls, their Northumberland estates, and the genealogy of the Radcliffe family. See similar SCUA collections: Europe Background on Radcliffe family The title Earl of Derwentwater was created in 1688 for Sir Francis Radclyffe from Dilston Castle, Northumberland. The Radcliffe family, Catholic and ardent Royalists, had been prominent among the northern nobility, but the shifting political fortunes of the seventeenth century had exacted a toll: the family fell under suspicion of involvement in the Gunpowder Plot early in the century and had their estates confiscated during the Commonwealth for Francis's recusancy. In 1687, when Francis arranged for his son and successor, Edward, to marry Mary Tudor, the illegitimate daughter of King Charles II, the connections to the Stuart dynasty were cemented. When James (1689-1716) became the third Earl of Derwentwater upon Edward's death in 1705, the Radcliffes could be counted among the most powerful Jacobite families in the north. The instability surrounding the royal succession, however, would not be kind to the Radcliffes. Raised in the Stuart court in exile in France, and a companion to the pretender to the throne, James Francis Edward Stuart, James Radcliffe returned to Northumberland in November 1709 to take possession of his family estates. He married Anna Maria Webb in July 1712. On the eve of the insurrection of 1715, James, an open supporter of the Jacobite cause, learned that a warrant for his arrest had been issued and escaped by hiding among his tenants until he was able to join the army assembled under Charles Forster. His career under arms would be brief. At Preston, with Charles Wills' Parliamentary army besieging them, Derwentwater was said to be have been energetic in organizing resistance, but when Forster elected to capitulate, he followed suit. Marched to London and imprisoned in the Tower, James became one of five Lords tried and convicted of high treason, and despite efforts by influential friends to have him spared, he was beheaded on Feb. 24, 1716. Although the title was formally vacated upon James' attainder and execution, his brother Charles, also captured at Preston, assumed the title of fourth Earl of Derwentwater. Imprisoned at Newgate, Charles broke out with thirteen other prisoners in December 1716 and took refuge with the Stuart family in France. Nearly thirty years later in November 1745, with another Jacobite rebellion at hand, he was captured aboard a French ship of war, hauled to London, and convicted of high treason like his brother. He too was beheaded. Scope of collection Assembled by John Fenwick, who may have been a distant relative of the Assembled by John Fenwick, who may have been a distant relative of the Radcliffes, this collection of Radcliffiana includes a mixture of original documents, 19th century transcriptions of originals, published works, and prints, all pertaining to the Jacobite Earls of Derwentwater. Set into paper frames and bound into more or less elaborate leather volumes, the documents cover the period from the English Civil War through the fallout after the execution of the 3rd Earl. They are focused primarily on the personal fates of the Earls, their Northumberland estates, and the genealogy of the Radcliffe family. Many of the documents relate to the loss and attempted regain of Radcliffe family estates after James' execution and there are a number of published works regarding the execution of the 3rd Earl of Derwentwater. The oldest original document, a lease from Robert Radclyff to William Wilfon, dates from November 1600, with a handful of other documents dating from the seventeenth and early eighteenth centuries. Most of the transcripts were apparently made in the second quarter of the nineteenth century. Among other highlights are a large hand-drawn eighteenth-century map of Northumberland centered on the confluence of the North and South Tyne Rivers and several prints of the Earls, of Dilston Hall (including an original watercolor), and of other parts of the Radcliffe estates. Identifications of the documents in the inventory below are drawn verbatim from a typed list of unknown origin that accompanied the volumes. Inventory The title from Thomas [Radclyff] 1540 May 29 Vol. 1: 1 Location of originals: Muniment Room, Greenwich Hospital Obligation between Thomas and Edward Radclyff [his fourth 1481 Vol. 1: 2 son] Location of originals: Muniment Room, Greenwich Hospital Genealogical chart from Thomas Radclyff undated Vol. 1: 3 Location of originals: Muniment Room, Greenwich Hospital Mr. Kniston's notes touching of the descent of the Radcliffes up Vol. 1: 4 to 1555 Location of originals: Muniment Room, Greenwich Hospital Citations to the Radclyff family, and genealogical charts up to Vol. 1: 5 1588 Location of originals: Muniment Room, Greenwich Hospital Last will and testament of John Radcliffe of Derwentwater 1529 Feb. 1 Vol. 1: 6 Location of originals: Muniment Room, Greenwich Hospital Genealogical charts and obligations between Thomas Radcliff 1613 Vol. 1: 7 and his sons John, Richard, Edward, and Nycholas Location of originals: Muniment Room, Greenwich Hospital Declaration by one Richard Ayre that he intends to 1628 Feb. 14 Vol. 1: 8 discontinue all proceedings against Sir Arthur Gray, knight because of the latter's refusal as a Roman Catholic to attend services of the church of England... The stature being made the 23d year of the regin of Queen Elizabeth [1580] Location of originals: Muniment Room, Greenwich Hospital Indorsed copies of judgment upon a writ of quo warranto. The 1605 Feb. 22 Vol. 1: 9 writ having challenged the Right Hon. William Howard, Lord of the Mannor, to show by what authority he exercised certain liberties and privileges, claimed by the Baliffes and Burgesses and Burgesses of the Borough of Morpeth. The Judgment was decided in the favor of the Lord. Location of originals: Muniment Room, Greenwich Hospital A deed from the Baliffes and Burgesses of Morpeth, under 1605 Apr. 9 Vol. 1: 10 their common seal, acknowledging the Lord William Howard's right to certain liberties and privileges there and disclaiming their pretended right to the same as also for grinding their corn at the Lord's mills Location of originals: Muniment Room, Greenwich Hospital A true declaration of the circumstances [concerning title to 1607 Vol. 1: 11 certain lands] between the Countess of Arundelll and the Lord William Howard on the one part and Mr. Francis Dacre on the other part [dated 1607 also 1614 Aug. 15) Location of originals: Muniment Room, Greenwich Hospital Concerning the proceedings between the right honorable Lord 1614 Vol. 1: 12 William Howard and Mr. Francis Dacre Location of originals: Muniment Room, Greenwich Hospital Note from Henry Babington to Edward Radcliffe requesting 1621 Mar. 17- Vol. 1: 13 money in support of the horse race at Killingworth and a 18 receipt from Mr. Babington's servant for Sir Edward's contribution Location of originals: Muniment Room, Greenwich Hospital Articles of an agreement between Edward Radcliffe and John 1621 Jan. 2- Vol. 1: 14 Johnston, a mason, for the latter to construct a house for Sir 1622 Oct. 5 Edward at Devilston in the county of Northumberland, and statements of payments made for this service Location of originals: Muniment Room, Greenwich Hospital Articles of an agreement between Sir Edward Heron and Sir 1621 Dec. 6 Vol. 1: 15 William Fenwick concerning the legal transfer of property belonging to Sir Edward to Sir William and the amount to be paid for the purchase of said premises Location of originals: Muniment Room, Greenwich Hospital That portion of the pedigree of Sir Raphe Gray Delavell which 1623 Vol. 1: 16 shows the relationship between Sir Arthure Fraye of Spindelstoun and Johne Delavell Location of originals: Muniment Room, Greenwich Hospital Request from the Vicar Isaac Singleton for the payment of the 1624 Apr. 7 Vol. 1: 17 tithe of Mills addressed to the Hon. Sir Edward Radcliffe, Knight Baronet Location of originals: Muniment Room, Greenwich Hospital Letter from Sir Edward Radcliffe to the Vicar explaining why 1624 Apr. 13 Vol. 1: 18 he will not pay the tithe until he is more convinced of the justice of the demand Location of originals: Muniment Room, Greenwich Hospital Received by Joseph Ward from Sir William Fenwick the sum of 1618 May 12 Vol. 1: 19 2 shillings for 2 years' rent for the ladies' lands in South Middleton Location of originals: Muniment Room, Greenwich Hospital "Epecedium sacred to the honoured memorie of the really 1630 Aug. 18 Vol. 1: 20 religious and virtuous Sir William Fenwick of Meldon in County of Northumberland knight deceased" Location of originals: Muniment Room, Greenwich Hospital The inventory of the goods of Mr.

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