William Fiennes (Viscount Saye and Sele) letter

This material is held atSenate House Library Archives, University of London

Scope and Content

No address. To [John] Swynfen [MP], St Anne's Lane, Westminster. 'I have sent you a narrative of the former proceedinges about the castle of Banbury (my house) ... The gentlemen have spoken with me, and my cosin Knightly will report this to the House [of Commons] ... Excuse me for putting you to this toble I assure my slefe the House will not misuse me if rightly informed, wch that they may be I desyre yo favour with some other of my frendes ... Lett me be lett alone to inioye [enjoy] mine owne and I am satisfyed. Sr I shall remayne Your affectionate frend to serve you'.
Autograph, with signature.

A petition to demolish Banbury Castle was presented in the House of Commons on 27 May 1648 and an order for the demolition was issued in June. Fiennes was paid £2,000 in compensation. The stones from the castle were used to construct and repair other buildings in the town, which (like the castle) had been damaged during the Civil War.

Arrangement

See hard copy catalogue

Access Information

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Other Finding Aids

Typescript catalogue available in the Library's Special Collections Reading Room.