James, Duke Of York, F. R. S

Abstract

On 5 October 1664 Council of the Royal Society resolved ‘that the following form be offered to the king for his subscription; CHARLES R . Founder, Patron and one of the Royal Society of London for Improving Natural Knowledge. That the following form be offered to the duke of York and prince Rupert, for their subscriptions; JAMES D. Fellow of the Royal Society. RUPERT P. Fellow of the Royal Society.’ Also at this meeting ‘It was ordered, that Dr. Goddard give directions for the preparing of a book, to be called the Charter book, wherein forthwith is to be fairly written a copy of the charter, the statutes, and the register of the fellows and benefactors o f the Society, according as is provided by statute . . .’ (2) . Some months later, on 9 January 1664/5, Samuel Pepys, at work in the Navy Office as Clerk of the Acts of the King’s Ships, with the Duke of York, Lord High Admiral, recorded in his diary: ‘To the Duke, and there did our usual worke. Here I saw the Royal Society bring their new book, wherein is nobly writ their charter and laws, and comes to be signed by the Duke as a Fellow; and all the Fellows’ hands are to be entered there, and lie as a monument; and the King hath put his with the word Founder’ (3). Pepys did not himself become a Fellow until 15 February o f that year. But, two days after the Charter Book had been taken to the Navy Office for the Duke’s signature, it was produced at a meeting o f the Society on 11 January 1664/5, the record reading: ‘The charter-book of the society was produced, wherein his Majesty, on the 9th of January, had written himself CHARLES R . FO UND ER, and his Highness the duke of York JAMES, Fellow; the duke of Albemarle also having entered his name at the same time. The president was desired to kiss his Majesty’s hand for this honour’ (4) .