Historical Events in 1661

Jan 6 The Fifth Monarchists unsuccessfully attempt to seize control of London

Cromwell Ritually Executed

Jan 30 Oliver Cromwell, Lord Protector of the Commonwealth of England is ritually executed after having been dead for two years

Louis XIV Personal Rule

Mar 10 King Louis XIV begins his personal rule of France, after the death of his chief minister, Cardinal Mazarin

Royal Coronation

Apr 23 English king Charles II crowned in London

Apr 29 Chinese Ming dynasty occupies Taiwan
Apr 30 Tsjeng Tsj'eng-Kung begins siege of Dutch fort Zeelandia, Formosa
May 3 Johannes Hevelius observes 3rd transit of Mercury ever to be seen

Event of Interest

Jun 5 Isaac Newton admitted as a student to Trinity College, Cambridge

Jun 21 Treaty of Kardis: Russia & Sweden sign peace treaty
Jun 23 Marriage contract for Charles II of England and Catharina of Portugal
Jul 3 Portugal gives Tangier and Bombay to English King Charles II

1st European Banknote

Jul 16 1st banknotes in Europe are issued by Bank of Stockholm

The first European banknote, issued by Stockholms Banco of Sweden

Jul 27 English Parliament confirms Navigation Act
Aug 6 The Treaty of The Hague is signed whereby the Dutch Republic sells New Holland (Brazil) for 63 tonnes of gold to Portugal

Why The King Became a Party Pooper

Aug 17 French Superintendent of Finances Nicolas Fouquet throws one of the grandest and opulent parties ever seen in France, appalling King Louis XIV and leading to Fouquet's arrest for embezzlement weeks later

Nicolas Fouquet, looking unsure of himself, alongside the splendid château that he had built for his own use – much to his King’s displeasure

Sep 5 Nicolas Fouquet, French Superintendent of Finances under Louis XIV is arrested for maladministration of state funds; he died in 1680, never seeing freedom again.
Oct 1 Yachting begins in England as King Charles II beats his brother James, Duke of York in a yacht race from Greenwich to Gravesend

Appointment of Interest

Nov 12 Robert Hooke appointed Curator of Experiments to the Royal Society, England

Dec 20 Corporation Act enforced in England

On This Day