[Letterbook] [18th century]

ArchivalResource

[Letterbook], [18th century]

[Letterbook] [18th century]

http://hdl.handle.net/10079/fa/beinecke.fc110

Manuscript, in more than one hand, of a collection of about 315 copies of letters to Charlotte (Dyve) Clayton, Lady Sundon. Almost all the letters in the first volume are from Sarah Churchill, the Duchess of Marlborough, regarding the Duchess’ involvement in secret political affairs and intrigues, including those surrounding the son of James II, whom the Duchess calls "the Pretender." The first volume begins with "A list of Papers the Dutchess of Marlborough gave Mrs. Clayton to read, and beg’d they might lye in her custody, which they did for twelve months not careing to trust them in any other hand, and being afraid to keep them in her own house," and "The Cypher the Dutchess of Marlborough (when she went abroad) left with Mrs. Clayton to write to her by." The second volume contains letters, dated between 1722 and 1732, by various correspondents including Mary, Countess Cowper, the Duchess of Kent, the Countess of Pomfret, and the Countess of Pembroke, and are of a primarily social nature; topics include visits in town and Mrs. Clayton’s health.

Total Volumes: 1

Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library