Letter from Elizabeth, Lady Raleigh to Moyle Finch [manuscript], 1592.

London, 1592.

1 item

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Stored flat in envelope and sling; awaiting rehousing.

FAST ACC 272494

From dealer's description: "Elizabeth, Lady Raleigh Autograph letter signed ("ER"), to Moyle Finch during her first imprisonment in the Tower of London, on her health ("...I will now tri your ladies medsen..."), agreeing to write a letter of contrition to the Vice-Chamberlain (Sir Thomas Heneage, Finch's father-in-law) that he can show to the Queen, fervently expressing her loyalty to her new husband and and wondering "what will be cum of me when I am out", 1 page, folio, integral autograph address leaf with remains of red wax seal impression, 'towar'. n.d. [September - December 1592], seal tear, small hole not affecting text "...I asur you trewly I never desiared: nor never wolde desiar my lebbarti: with out the good likekeng: ne advising of sur WR: hit tis not this in prisonment if I bought hit with my lif that shudd make me thinke hit long if his shuld doo him harme..." A RARE LETTER BY ELZABETH RALEGH WRITTEN FROM THE TOWER OF LONDON. Elizabeth (Bess), née Throckmorton (1565-1647), had been a Maid of Honour to the Queen but she had earned her mistress's fury and imprisonment in the Tower on discovery of her marriage to the Queen's favourite, Sir Walter Ralegh, which she had kept secret even after giving birth to a son. Ralegh was only kept in the Tower for a few weeks, but Bess was imprisoned from August to December 1592 and remained firmly unwelcome at court for the rest of the Queen's reign. The marrriage was a happy one, despite its royal condemnation. Bess ran the estate at Sherborne during her husband's frequent absences sailing in search of Eldorado or languishing in the Tower; indeed, after her husband's execution, she is said to have kept his embalmed head in a velvet bag by her side for the remainder of her life. This friendly letter, evidently written after her husband's release from captivity, was written to a well-connected Kentish gentleman, Moyle Finch (1550-1614), who was married to the daughter of the influential courtier Sir Thomas Heneage. Such idiosyncratic orthography is not uncommon in the correspondence of early modern women who lacked formal education." Ordered from Christopher Edwards D 9579, 2022-04-14, Sotheby's Auction, London "History in Manuscript: Letters and Documents from a Distinguished Collection", 13 April 2022, lot 131. Purchase made possible by [funding info goes here].

272494