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Published online by Cambridge University Press: 08 January 2012
Peter Cunningham's book, The Story of Nell Gwyn and the Sayings of Charles II, first published about 1854, contains an interesting account of work done by one John Cooquus, silversmith, for Nell Gwyn, when she was living in Pall Mall as the king's mistress.
Cooquus is briefly referred to in the various popular lives of Nell Gwyn, and by Mr. E. Alfred Jones in his books on old silver, but beyond the mention of his name in connexion with that of Nell Gwyn, no particulars of his personal history have so far been disclosed. I have therefore attempted to place together some facts recording events in his life which may fill the gap.
page 283 note 1 In another bill I observe a charge ‘for ye cleensing of Jacob's halle of weyer worck’.
page 283 note 2 ‘brunisching ’ = burnishing ; ‘kruyze’ (Middle Dutch ‘cruyse ’) = cruse, a pot, jar or bottle ; ‘yorn ’ = iron ; ‘pied de staall’ or ‘stalle ’ = pedestal; ‘georses’ = ? 1674 is the earliest date known for a mustard pot; the set of three casters for use as a sugar box, pepper box, and mustard pot, together with the two bottles (for oil and vinegar), is the earliest mention of the five pieces held in a cruet frame known, but the actual frame itself is not here specifically included. Jacob Hall was a well-known tight-rope dancer of the time.
P.R.O. LC 5/138. Lord Chamberlain, Warrant Books, General. 1663–67.
‘Valters & Dancers on ye Rope.’ ‘These are to certifie that Thomas Crosbye is his Maties Sworne Servant as Valter and Dancer on the Rope & for other Agility of Body And is thereby to enjoy all rights & priveledges thereto belonginge And all persons are required to take notice thereof that they infringe not the ffreedome & priveledges of the said Thomas Crosbye as they will answere the Contrary at theire perrills. Given undr my hand & seale this 22th day of ffeb. 1663
The Like Certificate for William ffuller dated ye same tyme The Like for Jacob Hall. Dated at the same tyme’
‘Dancers on ye Ropes ’ ‘I doe hereby give leave unto Thomas Cosbye his Maties Servant to erect a Booth in Little Lyncolnes Inn fields for Dancing & Vaulting on the roope. Dat Octo: 24th 1667 ’
‘Dancers on ye Rope’ ‘I doe hereby give leave unto Jacob Hall and Wm ffuller to erect a Booth of boards for dancing on the Ropes neercthe Maypole in the Strand Given ye March 26. 1666’
page 285 note 1 Potvin, Potevin, Pottvine, Pottivine, as variously spelt (probably, in the French spelling, ‘Poitevin’, a man of Poitou origin), was a French Protestant cabinetmaker and upholsterer living in Pall Mall. Vide Poor-rate Books of the Parish of St. James, Westminster.
‘Moneys received and paid for secret services of Charles II. and James II ’, Camden Society's Publication, 1851 : ‘Account, 3rd. April, 1688. To John Poictvin, upholster, in full satisfacc'on for making two bedds and furniture for the Queen when Dutchess of York, viz. in June 1684
page 285 note 3 Meaning, to cleanse by boiling.
page 289 note 1 Edited from a MS. in the possession of William Selby Lowndes, by John Yonge Akerman, Fellow and Secretary of the Society of Antiquaries of London.
page 291 note 1 Christian Van Vianen visited London and worked for King Charles I.
page 292 note 1 Mr. Phillips here follows the opinion of Mr. Davenport, but there are reasons for supposing that this monogram stands for Lennox and Darnley and was used by Charles, 6th Duke of Lennox, 1639–72.—ED.