Empress Marie Feodorovna of Russia's letter to her son Tsarevich Nicholas Alexandrovich of Russia, dated June 23, 1890

Source:

Olga Grigor'eva at lastromanovs on VK

https://vk.com/lastromanovs?w=wall-56510987_53035

The letter:

Яхта
ЦАРЕВНА
Юнгфрюзундъ.
суббота
23го Іюня
1890
Мой милый дорогой Ники!
Вотъ мы опять въ этомъ прелестномъ мѣстѣ и погода наконецъ стала лучше такъ что мы сегодня пили чай на берегу и было очень хорошо. Les matelots ont plusieurs fois jeté les filets et attrappé une masse de poissons et avaient l'air enchanté. J'ai été heureuse de recevoir ta chère lettre hier au soir et t'en remercie de tout mon cœur, car tu me manques énormément toujours et je suis heureuse d'avoir de tes nouvelles et savoir ce que tu fais et comment tu vas. Je suis contente de ce que tu vois souvent la chère petite Alix qui est une perle, et de tout ce que tu dis sur l'oncle P. et de ses rapports avec les hussards. Dommage qu'il ne peut pas les continuer plus longtemps comme il va partir. —
Je n'ai qu'un petit moment avant le départ du feldjäger c'est pourquoi ma lettre na sera pas longue cette fois, je te dirai seulement que Papa va beaucoup mieux heureusement et mon terrible catarrhe commencer à céder enfin.

Depuis deux jours, j'entends mieux d'une oreille de sorte que je reprends l'espoir d'entendre bientôt comme avant. Nous avons un petit médecin Рончевскій qui me fait beaucoup de bien heureusement, tous les jours il me fait des Einsprutzüngen dans mon nez et cela m'allège. Seulement la toux ne veut pas encore diminuer et me tourmente surtout la nuit, mais je compte sur le bon air de la Finlande pour qu'elle passe plus vite. Georgy est très content d'être de nouveau sur la Царевна et passe ses journées avec Sandro qui est très gentil. Ксенія et Миша jouissent en plein et Миша a reçu sa дутка, dont il est très heureux.

Malheureusement on demande ma lettre, je dois donc finir en t'embrassant de tout mon cœur. Господь съ тобою мой милый дорогой Ники нѣжно цѣлую
Твоя
искренно любящая
Мама

With modernised spelling:

Яхта Царевна
Юнгфрюзунд
суббота
23го Июня
1890
Мой милый дорогой Ники!
Вот мы опять в этом прелестном месте и погода наконец стала лучше так что мы сегодня пили чай на берегу и было очень хорошо. Les matelots ont plusieurs fois jeté les filets et attrappé une masse de poissons et avaient l'air enchanté. J'ai été heureuse de recevoir ta chère lettre hier au soir et t'en remercie de tout mon cœur, car tu me manques énormément toujours et je suis heureuse d'avoir de tes nouvelles et savoir ce que tu fais et comment tu vas. Je suis contente de ce que tu vois souvent la chère petite Alix qui est une perle, et de tout ce que tu dis sur l'oncle P. et de ses rapports avec les hussards. Dommage qu'il ne peut pas les continuer plus longtemps comme il va partir. —

Je n'ai qu'un petit moment avant le départ du feldjäger c'est pourquoi ma lettre na sera pas longue cette fois, je te dirai seulement que Papa va beaucoup mieux heureusement et mon terrible catarrhe commencer à céder enfin.

Depuis deux jours, j'entends mieux d'une oreille de sorte que je reprends l'espoir d'entendre bientôt comme avant. Nous avons un petit médecin Рончевский qui me fait beaucoup de bien heureusement, tous les jours il me fait des Einsprutzüngen dans mon nez et cela m'allège. Seulement la toux ne veut pas encore diminuer et me tourmente surtout la nuit, mais je compte sur le bon air de la Finlande pour qu'elle passe plus vite. Georgy est très content d'être de nouveau sur la Царевна et passe ses journées avec Sandro qui est très gentil. Ксения et Миша jouissent en plein et Миша a reçu sa дутка, dont il est très heureux.

Malheureusement on demande ma lettre, je dois donc finir en t'embrassant de tout mon cœur. Господь с тобою мой милый дорогой Ники, нежно целую
Твоя
искренно любящая
Мама

Russian translation (by Olga Grigor'eva):

Яхта Царевна
Юнгфрюзунд
суббота
23-го Июня
1890
Мой милый дорогой Ники!
Вот мы опять в этом прелестном месте и погода наконец стала лучше так что мы сегодня пили чай на берегу и было очень хорошо. Матросы несколько раз кидали неводы, наловили массу рыбы и выглядели очень довольными. Я была рада получить твое милое письмо вчера вечером и от всего сердца благодарю тебя, мне всегда очень тебя недостает, и я счастлива получить от тебя весточку, знать, чем ты занимаешься и как ты поживаешь. Я очень рада, что ты часто видишь дорогую маленькую Аликс, которая настоящая жемчужина, и [меня] радует все, что ты пишешь о дяде П[авле] и о его отношениях с гусарами. Жаль, что он не может продолжить службу и вынужден уйти.

У меня мало времени до отъезда фельдъегеря, поэтому моё письмо будет не длинным на этот раз, я тебе только скажу, что Папа, к счастью, намного лучше, и мой страшный нарыв наконец проходит.

Вот уже два дня, что я лучше слышу одним ухом, так что я надеюсь, скоро буду слышать как прежде. С нами маленький врач Рончевский, который очень помогает мне. Каждый день он делает промывание носа, и я испытываю облегчение. Только кашель не становится меньше и мучит меня, особенно ночью, но я рассчитываю, что благодаря финскому воздуху, он быстрее пройдёт. Георгий очень рад снова оказаться на Царевне и проводит свои дни с Сандро, который очень миль. Ксения и Миша вполне наслаждаются, а Миша получил свою дутку, чему он очень счастлив. К сожалению, просят мое письмо и мне нужно заканчивать. Целую тебя от всего сердца. Господь с тобою мой милый дорогой Ники, нежно целую
Твоя
искренно любящая
Мама

Danish translation (my own):

Yachten Zarevna
Jungfrusund
lørdag
den 23. juni
1890
Min søde, kære Nicky!
Her er vi igen på dette dejlige sted, og vejret blev endelig bedre, så i dag drak vi te på stranden, og det var meget godt. Sømændene kastede netene og fangede en masse fisk flere gange og så henrykte ud. Jeg var glad for at modtage dit kære brev i aftes og tak af hele mit hjerte, thi jeg savner dig stadig enormt, og jeg er glad for at høre fra dig og vide, hvad du gør, og hvordan du har det. Jeg er glad for, at du ofte ser kære lille Alix, som er en perle, og alt det, du siger om onkel P[avel] og hans forhold til husarerne. Jammer at han ikke kan fortsætte dem længere, da han er ved at forlade. —

Jeg har kun et lille stykke tid, før feldjägeren forlader, hvorfor mit brev ikke vil være langt denne gang, jeg vil kun fortælle dig, at pappa er meget bedre heldigvis, og min frygtelige katarr begynder endelig at vige.
I de sidste to dage har jeg hørt bedre med det ene øre, så jeg genoptager håbet om at høre hurtigt som før. Vi har en lille læge Rontsjevskij, der heldigvis gør mig meget godt, hver dag giver han mig Einsprutzüngen i næsen, og det får mig til at føle mig bedre. Kun hosten vil ikke falde endnu og plager mig især om natten, men jeg regner med Finlands gode luft, så den går hurtigere over. Georgij er meget glad for at være på Zarevna igen og tilbringer sine dage med Sandro, som er meget godmodig. Ksenia og Misja har det fint, og Misja modtog hans dutka, som han er meget tilfreds med.

Desværre beder man om mit brev, så jeg må slutte med at kysse dig af hele mit hjerte. Herren være med dig, min søde, kære Nicky, jeg kysser dig ømt
Din
oprigtigt kærlig
Mamma.

English translation (my own):

Yacht Tsarevna
Jungfrusund
Saturday
23rd June
1890
My dear sweet Nicky!
Here we are again in this lovely place and the weather finally got better, so today we drank tea on the beach and it was very good. The sailors threw the nets and caught a mass of fish several times and looked delighted. I was happy to receive your dear letter last night and thank you for it with all my heart, as I still miss you very much and am happy to hear from you and to know what you are doing and how you are doing. I am glad that you often see dear little Alix, who is a pearl, and all that you say about Uncle P[avel] and his relationship with the hussars. A pity he can't continue them any longer as he is about to leave. —

I only have a little while before the feldjäger leaves, which is why my letter will not be long this time, I will only tell you that Papa is much better luckily and my terrible catarrh is finally starting to give way.
For the past two days, I have heard better with one ear, so that I resume the hope of hearing soon as before. We have a little doctor Ronchevsky who happily does me a lot of good, every day he gives me Einsprutzüngen in my nose and that makes me feel better. Only the cough does not want to decrease yet and torments me especially at night, but I count on the good air of Finland so that it passes more quickly. Georgy is very happy to be on the Tsarevna again and spends his days with Sandro, who is very nice. Xenia and Misha are enjoying themselves and Misha received his dutka, which he is very happy with.

Unfortunately one asks for my letter, so I must end by kissing you with all my heart. The Lord be with you, my dear sweet Nicky, I kiss you tenderly
Your
sincerely loving
Mama.

Above: Marie Feodorovna (Dagmar) with Nicholas.

Notes: Alix = Alexandra Georgievna, the wife of Grand Duke Pavel (Paul) Alexandrovich.

Einsprutzüngen = injections.

Princess Elizabeth Stuart of England's handwritten accounts of her and her brother Prince Henry's final goodbye to their father King Charles I the night before his execution, January 29, 1648 (1649; Old Style)

Source:

Reliquiæ Sacræ Carolinæ, Or The Works of that Great Monarch and Glorious Martyr King Charles the I, pages 337 to 339, published by Samuel Browne, 1650

https://books.google.com/books?id=iw93TLvgPlcC&newbks=1&newbks_redir=0&dq=another+relation+of+lady+elizabeth&source=gbs_navlinks_s

Above: Princess Elizabeth Stuart of England.

Above: Her father, King Charles I of England, while on trial.

Above: Elizabeth with her brother Henry, Duke of Gloucester, painted by Margaret Dicksee in around 1895.

I'm back!

Elizabeth Stuart (born December 28, 1635, died September 8, 1650) was the second daughter of Charles I, King of England, Scotland and Ireland, and his wife, Henrietta Maria of France.

From age six until her death at age 14, Elizabeth was a prisoner of the English Parliament during the English Civil War. Her emotional account of her final meeting with her father on the eve of his execution and his final words to his children have been published in numerous histories about the Civil War and Charles I.

The accounts:

What the King said to Me the 29 of Jan. 1648. being the last time I had the happinesse to see Him, He told Me, He was glad I was come, and although He had not time to say much, yet somewhat He had to say to Me, which He had not to another, or leave in writing; because He feared their cruelty was such, as that they would not have permitted Him to write to me. He wished me not to grieve and torment My self for Him, for that would be a glorious death that He should dye; it being for the Laws and Liberties of this Land, and for maintaining the true Protestant Religion. He bid Me reade Bishop Andrew's Sermon, Hooker's Ecclesiastical Policy, and Bishop Laud's Book against Fisher, which would ground me against Popery. He told me, He had forgiven all His Enemies, and hoped God would forgive them also; and commanded us, and all the rest of my Brothers and Sisters, to forgive them. Be [sic] bid me tell My Mother, That His thoughts had never strayed from Her, and that His love should be the same to the last. Withal He commanded me and my Brother, to be obedient to her: And bid me send His blessing to the rest of my Brothers and Sisters, with the commendation to all His Friends. So after He had given me his blessing, I took my leave.

Further, He commanded us all to forgive those people, but never to trust them; for they had been most false to Him, and to those that gave them power, and He feared also, to their own Souls: and desired Me not to grieve for Him, for He should dye a Martyr, and that He doubted not but the Lord would settle His Throne upon His Son, and that we should be all happier, then we could have expected to have been, if He had lived: with many other things, which at present I cannot remember.

—

The King said to the Duke of Gloucester, that He would say nothing to Him, but what was for the good of his Soul: He told him, That He heard the Army intended to make him King; but it was a thing not for him to take upon him, if he regarded the welfare of his soul, for he had two Brothers before him, and therefore commanded him upon His blessing, never to accept of it, unlesse it redounded lawfully upon him: And commanded him to fear the Lord, and He would provide for him.

With modernised spelling:

What the King said to me the 29 of January 1648, being the last time I had the happiness to see him. He told me he was glad I was come, and although he had not time to say much, yet somewhat he had to say to me which he had not to another or leave in writing, because he feared their cruelty was such as that they would not have permitted him to write to me.

He wished me not to grieve and torment myself for him, for that would be a glorious death that he should die, it being for the laws and liberties of this land and for maintaining the true Protestant religion. He bid me read Bishop Andrew's sermon, Hooker's Ecclesiastical Policy, and Bishop Laud's book against Fisher, which would ground me against popery.

He told me he had forgiven all his enemies and hoped God would forgive them also, and commanded us and all the rest of my brothers and sisters to forgive them. He bid me tell my mother that his thoughts had never strayed from her, and that his love should be the same to the last. Withal he commanded me and my brother to be obedient to her and bid me send his blessing to the rest of my brothers and sisters, with the commendation to all his friends. So, after he had given me his blessing, I took my leave.

Further, he commanded us all to forgive those people, but never to trust them, for they had been most false to him, and to those that gave them power; and he feared also to their own souls and desired me not to grieve for him, for he should die a martyr, and that he doubted not but the Lord would settle his throne upon his son, and that we should be all happier than we could have expected to have been if he had lived, with many other things which at present I cannot remember.

—

The King said to the Duke of Gloucester that he would say nothing to him but what was for the good of his soul. He told him that he heard the army intended to make him king, but it was a thing not for him to take upon him if he regarded the welfare of his soul, for he had two brothers before him, and therefore commanded him upon his blessing never to accept of it unless it redounded lawfully upon him, and commanded him to fear the Lord, and He would provide for him.

Another relation of the children's last goodbye to their father:

His Children being come to meet Him, He first gave His Blessing to the Lady Elizabeth, and bade her remember to tell her Brother James, when ever she should see him, That it was his Fathers last desire, that he should no more look upon Charl[e]s as his eldest Brother onely, but be obedient unto him as his Soveraign; and that they should love one another, and forgive their Fathers Enemies. Then said the King to her, "Sweet-heart, you'l forget this": "No", (said she) "I shall never forget it while I live": and pouring forth abundance of tears, promised him to write down the particulars.

Then the King taking the Duke of Gloucester upon His knee, said, "Sweet-heart, Now they will cut off thy Fathers Head" (upon which words the Childe looked very stedfastly on Him) "Mark Childe what I say, They will cut off My Head, and perhaps make thee a King: But mark what I say, You must not be a King, so long as your Brothers, Charl[e]s and James, do live; For they will cut off your Brothers Heads (when they can catch them) and cut off thy Head too at the last: and therefore I charge you, do not be made a King by them." At which the Childe sighing, said, "I will be torn in pieces first": which falling so unexpectedly from one so yong, it made the King rejoyce exceedingly.

With modernised spelling:

His children being come to meet him, he first gave his blessing to the Lady Elizabeth and bade her remember to tell her brother James, whenever she should see him, that it was his father's last desire that he should no more look upon Charles as his eldest brother only, but be obedient unto him as his sovereign, and that they should love one another and forgive their father's enemies.

Then said the King to her: "Sweetheart, you'll forget this."

"No", said she; "I shall never forget it while I live!"; and, pouring forth abundance of tears, promised him to write down the particulars.

Then the King, taking the Duke of Gloucester upon his knee, said: "Sweetheart, now they will cut off thy father's head" — upon which words the child looked very steadfastly on him.

"Mark, child what I say: they will cut off my head and perhaps make thee a king. But mark what I say: you must not be a king so long as your brothers Charles and James do live, for they will cut off your brothers' heads when they can catch them and cut off thy head too at the last; and therefore I charge you, do not be made a king by them."

At which the child, sighing, said: "I will be torn in pieces first!" — which, falling so unexpectedly from one so young, it made the King rejoice exceedingly.

Princess Alice of the United Kingdom, Grand Duchess of Hesse and by Rhine's letter to her mother Queen Victoria of the United Kingdom and Ireland, dated August 16, 1862

Source:

Alice, Grand Duchess of Hesse, Princess of Great Britain and Ireland: Biographical Sketch and Letters, published by G. P. Putnam's Sons, 1884

https://archive.org/details/alicegrandduches03alic/page/42/mode/2up

Above: Queen Victoria of the United Kingdom and Ireland with her daughter Princess Alice with a bust of the late Prince Albert, Alice's father, who died on December 14, 1861.

The letter:

AUERBACH, August 16th.

... We do feel for you so deeply and would wish so much to help you, but there is but One who can do that, and you know whom to seek. He will give you strength to live on till the bright day of reunion. ...

German translation (my own):

Auerbach, 16. August.

... Wir empfinden so großes Mitleid mit Dir und würden Dir so gerne helfen, aber es gibt ja nur Einen, der das kann, und Du weißt wohl, wen Du suchen musst. Er wird Dir die Kraft geben, bis zum strahlenden Tag des Wiedersehens weiterzuleben. ...

Princess Alice of the United Kingdom, Grand Duchess of Hesse and by Rhine's letter to her mother Queen Victoria of the United Kingdom and Ireland, dated August 9, 1862

Source:

Alice, Grand Duchess of Hesse, Princess of Great Britain and Ireland: Biographical Sketch and Letters, published by G. P. Putnam's Sons, 1884

https://archive.org/details/alicegrandduches03alic/page/42/mode/2up

Above: Alice with her husband, Prince Louis of Hesse, photographed by John Jabez Edwin Mayall.

Above: Queen Victoria of the United Kingdom and Ireland, photographed by Ghémar Frères.

The letter:

August 16th.

How I long to read what Mr. Helps has written about Papa! What can it be but beautiful and elevating, if he has rightly entered into the spirit of that pure and noble being?

Oh, Mama! the longing I sometimes have for dear Papa surpasses all bounds. In thought he is ever present and near me; still we are but mortals, and as such at times long for him also. Dear, good Papa! Take courage, dear Mama, and feel strong in the thought that you require all your moral and physical strength to continue the journey which brings you daily nearer to Home and to Him! I know how weary you feel, how you long to rest your head on his dear shoulder, to have him to soothe your aching heart. You will find this rest again, and how blessed will it not be! Bear patiently and courageously your heavy burden, and it will lighten imperceptibly as you near him, and God's love and mercy will support you. Oh, could my feeble words bring you the least comfort! They come from a trusting, true and loving heart, if from naught else.

German translation (my own):

16. August.

Wie sehne ich mich danach zu lesen, was Mr. Helps über Papa geschrieben hat! Was kann es anderes als schön und erhebend sein, wenn er richtig in den Geist dieses reinen und edlen Geschöpfes eingetreten ist?

Oh, Mama! die Sehnsucht, die ich manchmal nach unserem lieben Papa habe, geht über alle Grenzen hinaus. In Gedanken ist er mir immer gegenwärtig und nahe; dennoch sind wir nur Sterbliche, und als solche sehnen wir uns manchmal auch nach ihm. Lieber, guter Papa! Fasse Du Mut, liebe Mama, und fühle Du Dich stark in dem Gedanken, dass Du alle Deine moralischen und körperlichen Kräfte benötigen, um den Weg fortzusetzen, der Du täglich näher zu Hause und zu Ihm bringt! Ich weiß, wie müde Du Dich fühlst, wie sehr Du Dich danach sehnst, Deinen Kopf auf seine liebe Schulter zu legen, ihn zu haben, um Dein schmerzendes Herz zu beruhigen. Du wirst diese Ruhe wiederfinden, und wie gesegnet sie sein wird! Trage Du Deine schwere Last geduldig und mutig, und sie wird unmerklich leichter, wenn Du Dich ihm näherst, und Gottes Liebe und Barmherzigkeit werden Dich unterstützen. Ach, könnten Dir meine schwachen Worte nur den geringsten Trost bringen! Sie kommen aus einem vertrauensvollen, wahren und liebenden Herzen, wenn auch aus nichts anderem.

Princess Alice of the United Kingdom, Grand Duchess of Hesse and by Rhine's letter to her mother Queen Victoria of the United Kingdom and Ireland, dated August 9, 1862

Source:

Alice, Grand Duchess of Hesse, Princess of Great Britain and Ireland: Biographical Sketch and Letters, published by G. P. Putnam's Sons, 1884

https://archive.org/details/alicegrandduches03alic/page/42/mode/2up

Above: Alice with her husband, Prince Louis of Hesse, photographed by John Jabez Edwin Mayall.

Above: Queen Victoria of the United Kingdom and Ireland, photographed by Ghémar Frères.

The letter:

August 9th.

Next Monday we are going to Auerbach, to live there for a little time. It lies in the Bergstrasse, and is very healthy. The Grand Duke allows us to inhabit one of the houses.

German translation (my own):

9. August.

Am kommenden Montag fahren wir nach Auerbach, um dort für kurze Zeit zu wohnen. Es liegt in der Bergstraße und ist sehr gesund. Der Großherzog erlaubt uns, eines der Häuser zu bewohnen.

Princess Alice of the United Kingdom, Grand Duchess of Hesse and by Rhine's letter to her mother Queen Victoria of the United Kingdom and Ireland, dated August 6, 1862

Source:

Alice, Grand Duchess of Hesse, Princess of Great Britain and Ireland: Biographical Sketch and Letters, published by G. P. Putnam's Sons, 1884

https://archive.org/details/alicegrandduches03alic/page/40/mode/2up

Above: Queen Victoria of the United Kingdom and Ireland with her daughter Princess Alice with a bust of the late Prince Albert, Alice's father, who died on December 14, 1861.

The letter:

DARMSTADT, August 6th.

DEAR BELOVED MAMA: — Can you give me no ray of hope that you in some way, bodily or mentally, feel better? It makes my heart ache bitterly, to hear those sad accounts you give of yourself, though I well know what for you life without him must be! God comfort you! is my constant prayer.

We saw the dear old Baron for some time. The meeting was sad on both sides; he was very kind, but so desponding as to every thing! In England and abroad he looks at every thing in a black light, and was full of complaints about himself. He asked much after you, and is anxious to see you again.

German translation (my own):

Darmstadt, 6. August.

Liebe, geliebte Mama: — Kannst Du mir keinen Hoffnungsschimmer geben, dass es Dir körperlich oder seelisch irgendwie besser geht? Es tut mir im Herzen weh, diese traurigen Berichte über Dich selbst zu hören, obwohl ich gut weiß, was ein Leben ohne ihn für Dich sein muss! Möge Gott Dich trösten! ist mein ständiges Gebet.

Wir sahen den lieben alten Baron einige Zeit lang. Das Treffen war auf beiden Seiten traurig; er war sehr nett, aber so mutlos über alles! In England und im Ausland sieht er alles schwarz an und war voller Klagen über sich. Er hat viel nach Dir gefragt und ist ungeduldig, Dich wiederzusehen.

Abbess Catherine Bulkeley of Godstow's letter to Lord Thomas Cromwell, dated November 26, 1536

Source:

Original letters illustrative of English history, series 3, volume 3, page 233, edited by Henry Ellis, 1846

https://archive.org/details/originalletters16elligoog/page/n256/mode/2up

The letter:

My moste singular good Lorde, my mooste humble dutie, thies be speciallie to thanke you for that it pleasithe you to dyrecte youre letters for the staie of Doctor London whiche was here, redie to suppresse this poor House, ageinste my will and all my sisters; and had done it in dede if you had not so spedilie sente contrarie commawndente, for the whiche youre goodnes you shall be well assuered, (as I am all redie mooste bownden), of a poor mayden is prayer duringe my lyffe; seinge I have no other riches to recompense you withall. And where it pleasid you to dyrecte youre letters sens that tyme to me and my systers for the preferment of Mayster Doctor Owen to owre demaynes and stocke, thies be to certifie your Lordshipe that we have accomplishede the same with all fauor and gentillnes as I truste he will reporte and give youre Lordeshipe thanks therefore, for no man levinge under the King cowld have had it of hus withe oure good willis, savinge your Lordeshipe. And, therefore, as my verie truste and comforde is in you, I beseche you to contynewe my good Lorde, as I truste you shall never have cause to the contrarie; for youre Lordeshipe shall be well assuered that ther is nother Pope nor Purgatorie, Image nor Pilgrimage, ne prayinge to dede Saintes, usid or regarded amongeste hus; but all supersticious ceremonies set aparte, the verie honor of God and the trewithe of his holie wordes, as farre as the fraile nature of women may ateyne unto, is mooste tenderlie folowid and regarded withe hus. Not dowtinge but this garmente and facōn of liffe dothe nothinge prevaile towarde oure justifyinge before God, by whome, for his swete Sone Jhesus sake, we onlie truste to be justified and saved, who ever preserve yor honor to his pleasure. Amen. At Godstowe, this xxvjth daie of Nouember.

Youre mooste bownden bediswoman,

KATHERINE BULKELEY, Abbesse there.

To the righte honorable and my verie

singular good lorde, my Lorde

Previe Seale.

With modernised spelling:

My most singular good Lord, my most humble duty, this be specially to thank you for that it pleaseth you to direct your letters for the stay of Doctor London, which was here, ready to suppress this poor House, against my will and all my sisters'; and had done it indeed if you had not so speedily sent contrary commandment, for the which your goodness you shall be well assured, (as I am already most bounden), of a poor maiden is prayer during my life; seeing I have no other riches to recompense you withal. And where it pleased you to direct your letters since that time to me and my sisters for the preferment of Master Doctor Owen to our demesnes and stock, this be to certify Your Lordship that we have accomplished the same with all favour and gentleness as I trust he will report and give Your Lordship thanks therefor, for no man living under the King could have had it of us with our good wills, saving Your Lordship. And, therefore, as my very trust and comfort is in you, I beseech you to continue, my good Lord, as I trust you shall never have cause to the contrary; for Your Lordship shall be well assured that there is nother Pope nor Purgatory, Image nor Pilgrimage, ne praying to dead Saints, used or regarded amongst us; but all superstitious ceremonies set apart, the very honour of God and the truth of His holy words, as far as the frail nature of women may attain unto, is most tenderly followed and regarded withe us. Not doubting but this garment and fashion of life doth nothing prevail towarde our justifying before God, by whom, for his sweet Son Jesus' sake, we only trust to be justified and saved, who ever preserve your honour to his pleasure. Amen. At Godstowe, this XXVIth day of November.

Your most bounden beadswoman,

CATHERINE BULKELEY, Abbess there.

To the right-honourable and my very

singular good lord, my Lord

Privy Seal.

Notes: bounden = obliged.

demesnes = domains.

nother = neither.

ne = nor.

nothing = in no way.

beadswoman = female petitioner.