Sir Samuel Tuke’s Brush with the Law, 1653–1654: New Evidence

In the absence of documentary evidence, career Sir Samuel Tuke (c. 1615–1674), distinguished royalist officer during Civil Wars, author cloak and dagger tragicomedy The Adventures Five Hours (London, 1661), confidant Charles II, has only been patchily accounted for. During his continental exile from about 1649 until Restoration, attended Henry, Duke Gloucester (1640–1660), fruitlessly sought an appointment as secretary to James, York (1633–1701), served in Hague a gentleman-in-waiting Mary, Princess Royal Orange (1631–1660).1 Described by Edward Nicholas ‘great oracle’ at Mary’s court, it was redoubtable swordsman however that gained notoriety.2 On 28 July 1653, informed Thomas Wentworth (bap. 1613–d. 1665), another military man duellist, grim incident: Col. sending challenge Sr Robert Starismere [sic], they met Flanders on Saturday se’nnight; receiving slight hurt groin or belly (having, even when he fought, so great fit stone him Mr Tuke, before wished friendly manner put off fighting till were well it) fainted with continued very ill for day two; then, all men thought danger past, suddenly died sorrow who (I hear) behaved himself gallantly, business.3