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Auction: 22023 - Stamps and Covers of Great Britain
Lot: 3

(x) Great Britain
Postal History
An Extraordinary Elizabethan "Hast Hast Hast" Letter
Nine Years War in Ireland
1599 (28 August) entire letter from the Sheriff of Norfolk, Clement Spilman, with integral address panel reading "To the right wor[shipful] and his lovinge Cosen S[i]r Bassingborn Gawdye Knight at Harlinge theis even", endorsed "hast hast hast", contents read:

"Sir Even this p[rese]nt IIIJ of the Clocke in the morninge I reeyved a lett[er] from the Lordes of his Ma[jes]ties ho[norable] privie Councell for the p[rese]nt staying of all ye foot and horses of w[hi]ch lett[er] I have sent you coppies here in Closed: I have also taken order and sent to the Mayor of Thetford That there may be a watch and ward in the towne and the bridges well Locked unto that the so[l]ders may be sent backe and do not goe on. Your very loving coz[en] Clement Spilman". Further endorsed "I have sent this for my Lady, your wyf's comfort in Hast" in the same hand as the hast endorsement.

An immensely important early hast letter in a wonderful state of preservation.

Note: It is likely that this letter is in relation to the detention of troops recruited for the Nine Year's War in Ireland. In 1599, Robert Devereux, 2nd Earl of Essex arrived in Ireland with over 17,000 English troops, much of his time was spent awaiting transport for his troops and the expedition was a disaster.

Subject to 5% tax on Hammer Price in addition to 20% VAT on Buyer’s Premium.

Sold for
£7,500

Starting price
£4800