[Letterbook] [18th century]

ArchivalResource

[Letterbook] [18th century]

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

Related Entities

There are 3 Entities related to this resource.

James, Prince of Wales, 1688-1766

http://n2t.net/ark:/99166/w6kw5f27 (person)

James Stuart, also known as "The Old Pretender," was the son and heir of King James II of England (James VII of Scotland), who was deposed in 1688. Raised in exile in France, Stuart never gave up his claim to both crowns, and after Jacobites in Scotland rose in rebellion against the new Hanoverian king in 1715, James landed in Scotland in hopes of seizing power. The rebellion failed, and James returned to France in 1716. He died in Rome in 1766. From the description of Coppie of the ...

Sundon, Charlotte Clayton, Baroness, -1742

http://n2t.net/ark:/99166/w6j96rp7 (person)

Marlborough, Sarah Jennings Churchill, Duchess of, 1660-1744

http://n2t.net/ark:/99166/w6542tbx (person)