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Auction: 26066 - Historical Documents, Autographs and Ephemera
Lot: 1011

Ferdinando Fairfax, 2nd Baron - The Bishop's War - Scotland
1639 (17 May) autograph letter signed with integral address panel reading "To ye right honble very good Father ye Lord Fairfax at Denton" (his father, Thomas Fairfax, 1st Lord Fairfax).

Letter reads: I heare nothinge yett of my owne or any other remoue [?], though itt hath beene rumored att Court that more forces should speedely be calld on. We heare that ye Kings last proclamation had an ill reception in Scotland & was instantly answered by a flatt declaration against itt. On Monday last ye Scotts shewed themselues about 20,000 neare unto Barwick butt attempted nothinge; yesterday att Newcastle was a newe proclamed against that nation which is like to hasten our goinge. I had nott sent back this messenger butt to bringe this inclosed letter from R. Lawson. I thinke ye case to acquaint my Lo: of Northumberland with a horse & man for his Majesties service was nott right putt to Master Proctor; ye Earle doth nott challenge itt as a deute butt as a fauor from his frends, which I heare Sir Walter Vavasour, Sir Peter Midleton & many other gentlemen who should land of him haue very readily assented unto. His Lordship intended to haue commanded them himselfe butt hindred by his greate imployments desired ye same favor should be done to his brother who as yett is his heire, Sir John Melton shewed me his letter desiringe that ye men to be sent should be att Barwick before ye end of this month; what intimation of ye tyme is given I know nott, without some particuler notice of which none will move. I received a letter from my sister Constable by this Post, as also another from Sir Nicholas Sheffeild of some newes he longes to write out, & therefor haue sent itt. When I heare further I shall acquaint your Lordship, restingeyour Lordships humble & obedient sonne".

Fine and an important letter.

Notes: King Charles I had long attempted to impose the Prayer Book on Presbyterian Scotland, and had been successful only inciting the hate of the Scots. The tension came to a head with both sides amassing troops at Berwick though never coming to blows, concluding in the Pacification of Berwick on 19 June. This letter reveals some of the ineptitude of the Royalist forces in gathering in an organised manner against the enemy.

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Estimate
£400 to £600

Starting price
£320