Autograph letter signed from George Digby, Oxford, to Prince Rupert or Prince Maurice [manuscript], 1645 April 27.

2 leaves ; 30 x 21 cm

Letter written on behalf of King Charles I, then trapped at Oxford, reporting on the continued progress and intentions of Cromwell. Advises that Rupert needs to march on Oxford to prevent the city from being besieged.

In English, much in numeric substitution cipher with decoded message added above the code.

Bifolium.
Letter begins: May it please y[ou]r Highnesse. Signed: Your Highnesse most faithfull humble servant George Digbye. Dated: Oxford Aprill 27th 1645.
Docketed: "Lord Digby to P Rupert, April 27, 1645 Oxford. Cromwells incursions into their Quarters with 3000 horse & Dragoons hath taken Bletchington howse. His success may make him alterhis designe to joyne with Massey, & stay in these p[ar]ts to hinder the K. from marching to P.R. the K. desires PR to march with his Army to Oxford."

Letterwriting in Renaissance England / compiled and edited by Alan Stewart and Heather Wolfe. Washington, DC: Distributed by University of Washington Press, 2004, no. 84.

Formerly Folger MS Add 1285.

Purchased from Roy Davids, 2004.

Exhibited: Letterwriting in Renaissance England, curated by Alan Stewart and Heather Wolfe, Folger Shakespeare Library, Washington, D.C., November 18, 2004-April 2, 2005.

Great Britain -- England -- Oxford.

X.c.125

MS Add 1285