Previous Lot Next Lot

Auction: 26066 - Historical Documents, Autographs and Ephemera
Lot: 1094

Richard Cromwell in Exile - "I rest a poor pilgrim"
1700 (4 April) autograph letter signed to one of his daughters, reading:

"Yours of the 23d I received the 26, and your sister with her Husband visited us the 27th March. I had as full an account of what wee call a concerne as shee was then stowed; shee said, shee would write unto you by the next post, of which I was willing, as being under an obligation to answer one from you, and for that which I should have said it would have been what had been shewed therefore I thought it best to give way to yours sisters inclination & purpose as being best able to satisfy. But truly I had another reason that hinders and that is the noise of my head, Nothing hetherto make any alteration, I took a douzen and 2 pills with a draught of sage Tea, 3 pills in the morning & 3 at night, as also I sneezed with the juice of white primrose, I have since that also according to rule let blood — what shall I say? naughty boys are not safe without the rod. It is an Exercise and I believe Exercise was the beginning of it. "Frett not thy selfe at evil doers &c" — psalm 37.1, the 7th especially ye last words of ye verse. I desire to mend that it may be sanctifyed. I will say noe more of that now, being pleased with a hint in yours to me of an intended designe of a journey to London aboute the middle next month, which is this of April. Lett it be safe & pleasant, and the journy made prosperous in that it is designed for. Mr Bodden signifyed to me that he had received a letter and bill from Hursley, it will be lookt after the latter end of this or beginning of the next week. I thanck your Brother for care & kindnesse; wee will please oure selves with the thoughts of a not long delayed Expectation in the desired embraces of eache other. The seamans marriages are most Esteem'd by some, for their often renewing thee wedding day by the repeated returne of every voyage. Pray excuse the Errors of my head, my heart is yours, with dues from all to All. I rest a poore pilgrim your freind".

Initialled "RC".

Overall foxing and mounting along left hand edge; well preserved and an extraordinary letter from the once leader of the Commonwealth, now a "poor pilgrim".

Notes: In 1660 Richard Cromwell left for France, never to see his wife again, returning in 1680 where he lived with the merchant, Thomas Pengelly in Cheshunt, Hertfordshire subsisting on incomes from Hursely. He lived to the age of 85 making him the longest-lived British head of state for three centuries until our late Queen Elizabeth II.

Subject to 20% VAT on Buyer’s Premium. For more information please view Terms and Conditions for Buyers.

Estimate
£800 to £1,000

Starting price
£650