George Monck, Duke of Albemarle

1608-1670

George Monck, Duke of Albemarle (1608 1670), had served with distinction in the Parliamentary army and under the Commonwealth (Cromwell's regime). He was distinguished both as a general, naval commander and civil administrator under Cromwell. But on Cromwell's death, Monck realized that it was Charles on the throne, or chaos. His services were rewarded with the title of Duke of Albemarle and a large pension.

Because of him, South Carolina began in a palace.

As early as June, 1663, letters, agreements, etc., between the Lords Proprietors are datelined, "The Cock Pitt." This was not a tavern in London, but was a princely set of apartments in the old palace of Whitehall (destroyed by fire in 1698). Cromwell had lived in them, as had visiting nobles; Princess Anne (later Queen Anne) would occupy them. They were Monck's own private apartments where the Proprietors could gather and plan the new venture of Carolina. These state apartments were called the "Cock Pit" because they had been built over an area formerly used for cockfighting by Henry VIII.