The Three Cups - A Right Royal Stopover

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The 'She-Wolf of France' arrives at Harwich. 

Queen Isabella and her son waited for their horses at The Three Cups after landing at Harwich on 24th September 1326, with Roger Mortimer, the Queens lover, to fight against her husband Edward II. (The Harwich Society, 1973)

Royals in Essex

It was William III who used Harwich as his port of choice for his visits to and from Holland, but the port was also used earlier by Queen Isabella of France, known as the She-Wolf, who waited for horses with her son and her lover at the Three Cups hostel in 1326, ready for the ‘fight’ against her husband Edward II. Later in 1338 Edward III was also here en route to France, as was Germany’s Princess Charlotte on her way to marry George III in 1761. (Royals in Essex, by Dee Gordon, The History Press, 2018)

On her first ‘progress’ through Essex in 1561, on her way from Sir William Petre at Ingatestone: 'The Queen was to stay at Harwich, at an inn, August 2-5. There the churchwardens had been preparing for several days, making payments from July 25 onwards to masons and labourers from neighbouring villages for working on the town gates, and to an Ipswich ‘stainer’ for ‘setting of the Queen’s Majesty’s great Arms of England upon the town gates, 15s’, and to ‘four poor folks in carrying of sand and water to the workfolks’ hands, 20d’. Also to three women and the Sexton ‘for washing and making clean of the church and chancel, 20d’. Whilst the Queen was at Harwich, the wardens on August 3 paid 6s8d ‘to the trumpeters’ and the same ‘to them that did bear the bottles’' (Colthorpe, Marion E. Queen Elizabeth I and Some Church Warden's Accounts, 15 August 2017, The Blog of the Essex Records Office).

" By August 2: Harwich preparations for the Queen’s visit. Payments by Harwich churchwardens: July 25-28, numerous payments to masons and labourers from Ipswich, Mistley, Trimley, Shotley and Hadleigh ‘for working on the town gates’, and for their board and lodging. ‘Paid to 4 poor folks in carrying of sand and water to the workfolk’s hands, 20d’.  July 26: ‘Paid and given to Mr Amiss’s man for that he brought a letter from his master to the township of the Queen’s Majesty’s coming, 5s’. July 28: To 3 women and the Sexton ‘for washing and making clean of the church and chancel, 20d’.  July 31: ‘Nicholas Panton of Ipswich stainer...for setting of the Queen’s Majesty’s great Arms of England upon the town gates, 15s’.  The churchwardens paid 6s8d, 28 Jan 1562, to Mr Lambard of Brightlingsea who ‘did take pains in getting money for the township at the Queen’s Majesty’s officers’ hands appertaining to her Highness’s ships for The Crane’. 1561 27 Aug 2,Sat HARWICH, Essex; at an inn. Inn-keeper Thomas Hart, who was paid £6.C  Ships which ‘attended on the Queen’s Majesty at Harwich’:  The Mary Katerne (Roger Hankyn, Captain) with 50 mariners and gunners. The Speedwell, a galley (William Holland, Master); with 188 mariners, rowers and gunners; a drum, a fife, a trumpeter. Robert Harwood and 29 mariners ‘in three of her Grace’s great shipboats’.  Ships which attended the Queen at Harwich and scoured the seas for pirates: The Saker (William Byston, Captain) with 50 mariners and gunners; The Swallow (William Holstock, Captain) with 140 mariners, a drum, a fife, a trumpeter. By the Queen’s command Sir William Cecil paid Wood, one of the Masters of the Queen’s ships, 20 French crowns, and the rest of the Masters and mariners attending upon her Majesty at Harwich 40 French crowns. Aug 3,Sun Harwich churchwardens: ‘Paid and given on the 3rd of August when that the Queen’s Majesty was here to the trumpeters, 6s8d, and to them that did bear the bottles, 6s8d’. Aug 4,Mon At Harwich: by the Queen’s command Cecil paid Robert Rouvet, goldsmith of Paris, £75.15s for goldsmith’s work and for a diamond. [HT.i.262]." (Colthorpe, Marion E. The Elizabethan Court Day by Day, 1561, p.26-27) https://folgerpedia.folger.edu/The_Elizabethan_Court_Day_by_Day

'The writer of this article believed that the Queen Elizabeth slept in one of the beautiful rooms at the Three Cups...' [See Link: Which Street is Where] (Leonard T. Harwich Papers, 1994, p.24) 

"Robert Rouvet [a jeweller of Paris] was at Harwich with the Queen in August. (Colthorpe, Marion E. The Elizabethan Court Day by Day, 1561, p.24) https://folgerpedia.folger.edu/The_Elizabethan_Court_Day_by_Day

Aug 4,Mon At Harwich: by the Queen’s command Cecil paid Robert Rouvet, goldsmith of Paris, £75.15s for goldsmith’s work and for a diamond. [HT.i.262]. 

Elizabeth I came to inspect the shipyard on 12th August 1561 and again in February 1564. In 1561 the Queen accepted an entertainment from the Borough, lodging it is said, for several days at a house about the middle of the High-Street, and being attended by the Magistrates at her departure as far as the Windmill out of town, she graciously demanded of them, what they had to request of her, from whom she received this answer, "Nothing, but to wish her Majesty a good journey": Upon which she turning her Horle about, and looking upon the town said, "A pretty Town and wants nothing", and so bad them farewell… Some say the High Street was the most important street where the church was situated, and that the Queen stayed next door at the Three Cups. The bed that the Queen slept in was said to have become a attraction for many years there after. 

"Queen Elizabeth I is said to have stayed there [The Three Cups] and to have very much enjoyed her stay." (Sipple, Mavis Titbits and Tales of Essex Inns, 2001). 

"Such was the importance of this port in former times, that in the reign of queen Elizabeth, there resided here one (some say four) in the nature of attendance; on of them, in several public writings in this town, is often nominated John Hankin of Harwich, one of her Majesty's royal navy, first mayor of this borough."  (The Harwich Guide, Ipswich, 1808, p.18)

Queen Elizabeth I continued her father’s interest in Harwich, and when viewing the scene from the top of a nearby hill declared: “A pretty little town, and wants nothing.” She stayed at the Three Cups Hotel, which was also used by Nelson on two or three occasions. The queen hired merchantman at two shillings per ton for fighting purposes, and no doubt Harwich supplied a good proportion of her needs. (Puck, Alexander Historical Harwich, Essex Countryside, Autumn 1954, vol.5, no17, p.16)

Before Queen Elizabeth's progress through Essex and Suffolk, September 1579, the following orders were issued for her reception:- "That the Bayliffs and Aldermen, in the receipt of Her Majestie, shall ride upon comelie geldings, with foot clothes, in damask or satin cassocks or coats, or else jackets of the same, with satin sleeves in their scarlet gowns, with caps and black velvet tippets. The Council to attend upon the Bayliffs and Aldermen at the same time, upon comelie geldings, with foot clothes, in grogram or silk coats or jackets, with silk doublets, or sleeves at the least, in their livery mooray-gowns, with caps, &c. That her Masjestie shall be gratified from the town with a cup of silver double gilt, of the value of 20 marks, or £10, at the least, with 40 angels of the same; and the officers of her Majestie to be gratified as afore they have been. The Recorder for the time being to make the oration to her Majestie." - (History and Antiquities of the Borough of Colchester). It was not in the progress 1579, but in 1562, that Queen Elizabeth visited Harwich for several days, and "lay in a house about the middle of Church Street." The particular house is not specified in the old church book in which that visit is recorded. (Cutler, Richard A Historical and Archaeological Sketch of the Town Harwich, Church Street Harwich, c.1863, p.68-69) 

The Three Cups Hotel. Visitors to Harwich should not fail to see the rooms occupied by Lord Nelson, and also Queen Elizabeth's bedroom in this historical house. (Carnie, T. West Happy-Go-Lucky Harwich, 1920?, George Pulman & Sons Ltd, p.iii)

The queen herself visited the town in August 1561 during the course of one of her royal progresses, and is said to have lodged at the Three Cups...

The port supplied one vessel, the Primrose, for the Armada fleet and shipmasters of both the Lord High Admiral and Sir Francis Drake were Harwich me, John and Thomas Gray. It was said, after the defeat of the Armada, Drake and Frobisher met in the famous Harwich tavern the Three Cups.  (Mander, R. P. An Old Gateway of England, Essex Countryside?, p.92 & 93)

  ...and in the [Three Cups] hotel there is a bed in which Queen Elizabeth is said to have slept. But the bed is not indigenous to Harwich; it was brought by a former proprietor of the hotel from some other resting place of the great Queen. Not that there may not be traces still to be found of Queen Elizabeth's visit to Harwich. I should not be surprised if I had been told that the bed had not been made yet since she left, but that it was just going to be! (Carnie, T. West Happy-Go-Lucky Harwich, 1920?, George Pulman & Sons Ltd, p.16-18)  

The Three Cups Hotel, Harwich See Nelson's Room and Queen Elizabeth's Bed. This famous old hostelry has been entirely re-decorated and re-furnished and is now open for visitors. Afternoon teas served in the Clematis Court. "Three Cups" luncheon, 2s. Table d'Hote Dinner, 7 pm, 4s. Inclusive terms Saturday to Monday, 21s. Telegrams: "Cups, Harwich." Telephone 082, Harwich. (East Anglia Daily Times, Tuesday 5th July, 1904)

 
In November 1734 the Princess of Orange (Anne, Princess Royal of England, the eldest daughter of King George II of England and married to William VI, Prince of Orange) was forced to spend several days in Harwich because there was insufficient wind for her to sail back to Holland. Accounts suggest that she much endeared herself to the people of Harwich during that time and laid on a magnificent dinner of fifty dishes at the Three Cups at which the Mayor, Aldermen and other members of the Corporation of Harwich were entertained. It was also reported that when she decided to go for a walk in the countryside around Harwich all the stiles were removed all the paths leveled.   

When Harwich was fortified against a Dutch invasion in 1666, Charles II, having proceeded from Newmarket to Landguard fort, sailed hither in his yacht. On Saturday 3rd October 1666 to the cheers of the hundreds of local townsfolk and dignitaries the yacht moored alongside the Harwich Quay and the party walked past Christopher Jones’s old home and the many alehouses. They attended divine service at the parish church of St. Nicholas and later supped ale and ate a hearty meal in an inn, probably the Three Cups. The King was accompanied by his Royal Highness James Duke of York, their Graces the Dukes of Monmouth, Richmond and Buckingham, the Earl of Oxford, Lord Cornwallis, Marquis Blancford (since created Baron Duras of Holdenby) and several other noblemen. The King left on Sunday 4th October 1666 having stayed overnight. (Taylor, Silas The History and Antiquities of Harwich and Dovercourt) 

"Other notable visitors included King Charles II and later Lord Nelson and Lady Hamilton who stayed at ‘The Three Cups’ in Church Street." (Tendring District Council, The Sunshine Coast, 2018, p.7 & 8, http://www.essex-sunshine-coast.org.uk/PDF/Step_backin_time.pdf)

When H.R.H. Frederick, Prince of Wales (the eldest son of King George II), arrived on the Despatch to set foot on English soil on 3rd December 1728 the mayor and corporation entertained him at the Three Cups to drink to his health, the charge of £6/15/- appearing in the chamberlains accounts.  (Cooper, Winifred The Three Cups, Essex Countryside, vol.17, no.151, August 1969, p.32-35) 

With all those connections within the House of Hanover the Three Cups was well-placed as a stopover for Royal commuters.  

"On the 3rd of December, 1728, about four in the afternoon, Frederic, Prince of Wales, eldest son of George II., landed from Hanover, at the King’s Stairs, near the Custom House, coming over from Holland in the Dispatch packet - boat, in cog., with a small retinue. After about an hour’s sojourn at the Three Cups,” he left the place to proceed to Colchester."  (Lindsey, W. H. Season at Harwich with Excursions by Land and Water, 1851, p.24) 

"Expended at the Three Cups in Drinken his Royal hines Helth att his safe arrival in England by order of Mr Giles Baker, Mayor, and Mr James Clements, Chamberlain, £6.15.0"  (B. Hughes, Carlyon, B. The History of Harwich Harbour, Harwich, 1939, p.145) 

H.R.H. Prince Frederick, Prince of Wales landed on Tuesday about 3.30 p.m. at Harwich, and set out for London from the Three Cups Inn at 5 p.m. by coach and eight horses. (Fogs Weekly Journal, 7th December 1728)

​The prince arrived at Harwich aboard the Prince of Orange packet on 10th and spent the night at the Three Cups Inn. (The later correspondence of George III, b​y George III, King of Great Britain, p.563, note.1​) 

King William III was twice at Harwich in his passage to and from Holland during the French War. On the 1st May 1691, his Majesty lay at Mr Thomas Langley's in Church Street, where the Corporation waited upon his Majesty in a body, where they were graciously received by him, and had the honour to kiss his Royal Hand. (The History and Antiquities of Harwich and Dovercourt, Topographical, p.251)

On recently removing some old panels to enable O.J. Williams, Esq (Oliver Jons?) to modernise his residence in this street, marks were discovered which leaves no doubt that his is the identical house formerly occupied by Mr. Langley... George I, and George II, were here several times, on their respective journeys to and from the continent; and also Frederick, Prince of Wales, father of George III, who stayed for a short time at the 'Three Cups,' of which excellent house I shall have occasion to say more at some future time. (Lindsey, W. H. Season at Harwich with Excursions by Land and Water, 1851) 

After George, Elector of Hanover, became king in 1714, he and his successors often passed through the port [of Harwich] and stayed at the Three Cups. (Alderman, L. T. & Weaver, B. A. The Borough of Harwich 1318-1974, Harwich, 1974, p.IV.)

The arrival of George I at Harwich is commemorated in a saying which was used by Parson Woodforde in 1777, and is still used by at least one old-fashioned East-Anglian today: "Have been at Harwich that is in a great Hurry all the day long - it took its rise from  King George the first landing at Harwich for the first time of his coming to England. Harwich was then nothing but hurry and confusion." (The Diary of a Country Parson, vol.1, 1924)

"George II drank there [Three Cups] incognito before taking the coach to his home." (Sipple, Mavis Titbits and Tales of Essex Inns, 2001). 

Also see the painting 'Embarkation at Harwich of George II for Hanover' by John Cleveley.

Queen Caroline was Consort of George IV. After her death the funeral procession traveled from London to Harwich in 1821. It had become a matter of deliberation where the corpse was to rest, supposing it had remained all night at Harwich. It then became a question whether it (the coffin) should remain in the Three Cups or his dining room; and it was at last agreed upon that, if the corpse should remain all night at Harwich, it should remain in his dining room. (Nightingale, Joseph Memoirs of her late majesty, Queen Caroline, p.504) 

'The schooner ia approaching the Glasgow frigate; the Queen's household have just reached the vessel destined to receive them; the other ships composing the funeral squadron have weighed anchor, and are proceeding to join the Glasgow; the mourning coaches are removing from the shore; the dragoons and infantry have proceeded to their quarters; the friends of her majesty are coming to the beach to snatch the last view of the ship that conveys her away from the land of her sufferings; the wind is favourable for Germany, and the lessening sail will soon disappear. The state carriage of her Majesty has been taken to the Three Cups, and crowds of people both from town and country have pressed to see it.' (The Globe, Friday 17 August 1821)

'According to this plan, the body cannot be in Harwich before the middle of to-morrow, when, if the tide should serve, which I think it will, it will be instantly embarked, as there is no church at Harwich in which the body can be deposited. The old church was taken down a short while ago, and the new one is only just begun building' (The Morning Post, 17 August 1821)

King Edward III visited Harwich in 1338 & 1340. "July 16, 1340, king Edward the third, having determined to assert his right to the crown of France, sailed from the port of Orwell with a gallant fleet and army; but proving unsuccessful, he returned to England, and landed at Harwich, Feb.21, 1340". (Wright, Thomas The County of Essex, London, vol.2, 1835, p.818)

Queen Charlotte & Louis XVIII are know to have visited Harwich. Her Royal Majesty Queen Charlotte arrived at Harwich on her was to St James's Palace on September 7th 1761. The voyage from Holland took ten days. The then princess was accompanied by five royal yachts and was welcomed at Harwich by the mayor and alderman.

HARWICH, Jan. 9.

Monday came in the Dolphin express with his Royal Highness Prince William of Gloucester. His Royal Highness was attended by Major White, who after breakfasting at the Three Cups Inn here, immediately set off for London. (The Ipswich Journal, 10th January 1795)

Lord Nelson visited the Three Cups in 1801, as did the Prince Regent in 1813, and the Duke of Wellington in 1823. (fn.3) (Institute of Historical Research, History on Line,  A History of the County of Essex: Volume 9, the Borough of Colchester. Originally published by Victoria County History, London, 1994, p.169-175)  

On Monday, the 29 th of August, 1808, about half-past five, p.m., his majesty’s frigate Euryalus, commanded by the Honourable Captain H. S. Dundas, arrived at this port, having on board, the Countess de Lille, consort of Louis XVIII., the Duke and Duchess d ’Angou léme, the Count and Countess de Damas, Count Etienne, and twenty-seven other persons in their suite, with a very large quantity of baggage, the wreck of their fortunes. The Count and Countess de Damas and the Count Etienne, landed in the course of the evening, and slept that night at the Three Cups.’ (Lindsey, W. H. Season at Harwich with Excursions by Land and Water, 1851)  

Marie Joséphine Louise of Savoy (Italian: Maria Giuseppina Luigia; 2 September 1753 – 13 November 1810) was a Princess of France and Countess of Provence by marriage to the future King Louis XVIII of France. She was by Bourbon Royalists regarded as titular Queen of France from the death of her husband's nephew, the titular King Louis XVII of France in 1795, when her husband assumed the title of King, until her death. 

Madam la Contesse de Lille (the Queen of France), the Duchess of Angouleme, and their suite, arrived at Harwich this day (29 August 1808). On passing Admiral Russel’s fleet, the illustrious visitors were complimented with a Royal salute. (The Gentleman’s Magazine, 1808, Foreign Occurances - Country News, p.845)

HARWICH, Sept. 1.

On Monday last, about four in the afternoon, arrived the Enryalns frigate, commanded by the Hon. Capt. Dundas, from Gottenburgh, with the Countess de Lille (consort of the King of France) and the Duchess D’Angouleme, and suite; part of the retinue landed the same evening, and an express was immediately forwarded to Louis XVIII: whom it was understood would meet his Queen at Colchester. 

The next morning, the Duchess landed, about six o’clock, and after taking some refreshment at the Three Cups Inn, proceeded on her journey. About an hour after, the Queen landed, amidst the acclamations and sympathetic feelings of an immense concourse of the inhabitants who sincerely greeted the unfortunate Exiles upon their arrival in the land of liberty security. General Robinson, and a company of the Royal Westminster grenadiers attended her landing, and the band played several loyal tunes as the carriage with six horses passed through the town. A royal salute was fired from the frigate, and the bells rang the whole day. (Norfolk Chronicle, 3 September 1808)