.jpg?w=1)
.jpg?w=1)
.jpg?w=1)
Document signed as Lord Protector ('Oliver P.') to lieutenant-colonel [Francis] Underwood, Whitehall, 2 December 1657
細節
Oliver Cromwell (1599-1658)
Document signed as Lord Protector ('Oliver P.') to lieutenant-colonel [Francis] Underwood, Whitehall, 2 December 1657
One page, 327 x 230mm, integral address leaf, docket, remnant of papered seal. Provenance: Sotheby's, 22 October 1956, lot 440 (one of two letters, the other now at the Morgan Library, Misc English Underwood); Christie's, 3 December 1986, lot 242.
'... the Cavaleir Partye ... are restlesse in their designes to put the Nation into blood upon their old account...': Cromwell warns a militia commander of a royalist conspiracy. Underwood is to call together his militia to foil royalist plans, promising that they will be paid the arrears of their wages which are due as soon as parliament meets; he is to discover any meetings of the cavaliers and keep Cromwell informed, making 'as little Noyse' as possible in this duty.
Wee are not ignorant, th[a]t notwithstanding the late Indulgence, and Kindnes shewed to the Cavaleir Partye; yet they are restlesse in their designes to put the Nation into blood upon their old account. Wherefore ... I have thought fit to let You know that our informat[i]ons are undoubtedly true concerning this their purpose, Desireing You with all possible speed to call together your Men ... Wee desire you further that you would by yo[u]r owne Vigilancy, and the Diligence of yo[u]r men lay out in all Corners for discovery both of the Meetings of the Cavaleirs, and of their other Contrivances, and to be in the best Posture You can to oppose them ...
Lieutenant-Colonel Underwood was the commander of the militia in the Isle of Ely, which Cromwell himself had commanded at the beginning of the Civil War. The royalist conspiracy of 1657-1658 (conceived by a group known as the 'Action Party') envisaged a Spanish invasion supported by multiple uprisings across England, but it was foiled by poor coordination and the superiority of Cromwell's navy and intelligence service.
Document signed as Lord Protector ('Oliver P.') to lieutenant-colonel [Francis] Underwood, Whitehall, 2 December 1657
One page, 327 x 230mm, integral address leaf, docket, remnant of papered seal. Provenance: Sotheby's, 22 October 1956, lot 440 (one of two letters, the other now at the Morgan Library, Misc English Underwood); Christie's, 3 December 1986, lot 242.
'... the Cavaleir Partye ... are restlesse in their designes to put the Nation into blood upon their old account...': Cromwell warns a militia commander of a royalist conspiracy. Underwood is to call together his militia to foil royalist plans, promising that they will be paid the arrears of their wages which are due as soon as parliament meets; he is to discover any meetings of the cavaliers and keep Cromwell informed, making 'as little Noyse' as possible in this duty.
Wee are not ignorant, th[a]t notwithstanding the late Indulgence, and Kindnes shewed to the Cavaleir Partye; yet they are restlesse in their designes to put the Nation into blood upon their old account. Wherefore ... I have thought fit to let You know that our informat[i]ons are undoubtedly true concerning this their purpose, Desireing You with all possible speed to call together your Men ... Wee desire you further that you would by yo[u]r owne Vigilancy, and the Diligence of yo[u]r men lay out in all Corners for discovery both of the Meetings of the Cavaleirs, and of their other Contrivances, and to be in the best Posture You can to oppose them ...
Lieutenant-Colonel Underwood was the commander of the militia in the Isle of Ely, which Cromwell himself had commanded at the beginning of the Civil War. The royalist conspiracy of 1657-1658 (conceived by a group known as the 'Action Party') envisaged a Spanish invasion supported by multiple uprisings across England, but it was foiled by poor coordination and the superiority of Cromwell's navy and intelligence service.
榮譽呈獻
Eugenio Donadoni
Senior Specialist, Medieval & Renaissance Manuscripts