LAWSON LIES STILL IN THE THAMES

Sub-titled 'The Extraordinary Life of Vice-Admiral Sir John Lawson', this biography charts the tumultuous life and times of an ordinary seaman born in Scarborough who had come to play a major role in the English Civil War, the Restoration, the Anglo-Dutch Wars and the start of the transformation of England into a global political and economic power in the 17th century. Despite being a staunch republican, Lawson would later aid the Restoration of Charles I and died from wounds received during the Second Anglo-Dutch War in 1665. At the beginning of his diary on 1st January 1660, Samuel Pepys noted that 'Lawson lies still in the River'. A mere two weeks before, amid rioting on the streets of London, and with Parliament under the control of the army, Vice-Admiral John Lawson had taken a fleet of 22 warships into the Thames, and in defence of Parliament, blockaded the city. "As becomes Englishmen, I am resolved with my life and fortune to pursue the restoration of our liberties." 287pp with appendices which are facsimiles of Lawson's Will and a letter to Sir Henry Vane. Notes. 27 illus, woodcuts and colour.