Prince Rupert autograph letter

This material is held atNational Library of Wales / Llyfrgell Genedlaethol Cymru

Scope and Content

An autograph letter, dated 17 May 1645, from Prince Rupert, at Newport, [Shropshire], to [Sir Edward Nicholas, secretary of state], [?at Oxford], communicating the news that Montgomery Castle, under Sir John Price [or Pryce] the parliamentary governor, has come over to the Royalists, and that 'the Ennemys have drawne their cannon from Harding [Hawarden] Castle' (f. 28).
Also included is a letter, 30 March 1976, from the military historian Brigadier Peter Young to Anthony S. Gilbert, discussing the letter and tentatively suggesting General Charles Gerard or the Marquis of Worcester as its intended recipient (ff. 29-30). However, Thomas Thorpe's catalogue of autograph letters (1836) identifies the recipient as 'Sir Edw. Nicholes [sic]' and the Prince Rupert letter is endorsed in Nicholas's hand ('Maij. 1645. R[eceived] 21o. P. Rupert to me' on f. 28 verso).

Arrangement

Arranged chronologically at NLW.

Acquisition Information

Bonhams; London; Purchased at auction, lot 213; 16 March 2016; 99636543502419.

Note

Title based on contents.

Shelf-mark, '[?l.] E. 1914 III, 9', [19 cent. x 20 cent.], in pencil at foot of f. 28 (cf. lot 212 in the 2016 Bonhams auction).

Custodial History

Item No. 883 in a Catalogue of a Most Interesting Series of Autograph Letters… on sale by Thomas Thorpe, No. 178, Piccadilly, London… (London, 1836), p. 92. Owned by Anthony S. Gilbert in 1976. Auctioned by Bonhams in 2016 from the collection of the late Donald John Morgan (lots 188-218).

Related Material

See also NLW MS 24045F, ff. 13-15 (lot 202 in the Bonhams auction).

Additional Information

Published