CLOCKS were turned back to 1669 at Merton last Friday, when the gathered throng welcomed George Monck, the Duke of Albemarle and his wife Nan (Peter and Jen Hood of PastPresent.org.uk) back to his roots.
The evening was perfectly set in the candlelit Church of All Saints at Merton, originally known by George Monck as St Martin's.
The Duke regaled the audience with a résumé of his adventurous life, from his teenage sword fight in an Exeter street brawl to his victorious naval battles, the quenching of the Irish and Scottish as well as his spate in the Bloody Tower of London and his successful return of King Charles II to the throne.
The evening was complemented by 17th Century fayre including spiced wine, gynger breads, jumbles and spiced cakes.
The event is one of several being organised in Merton to commemorate the birth of George Monck in the village 400 years ago.