Saturday, January 2, 2021

Princess Elizabeth's letter to her stepuncle Edward Seymour, 1st Duke and Protector of Somerset, dated March 7, 1549

Source:

The girlhood of Queen Elizabeth, a narrative in letters, Frank Arthur Mumby, 1909



Above: Elizabeth as princess, formerly attributed to William Scrots.


Above: Edward Seymour, 1st Duke and Protector of Somerset, artist unknown.

The letter:

HATFIELD, March 7, 1549.
My Lord, — I have a request to make unto your Grace which fear has made me omit till this time for two causes, the one because I saw that my request for the rumours which were spread abroad of me took so little place, which thing when I considered, I thought I should little profit in any other suit; howbeit, now I understand that there is a proclamation for them (for the which I give your Grace and the rest of the Council most humble thanks), I am the bolder to speak for another thing; and the other was, because, peradventure your lordship and the rest of the Council will think that I favour her evil doing, for whom I shall speak, which his Kateryn Ashley, that it would please your Grace and the rest of the Council to be good unto her. Which thing I do, not to favour her in any evil (for that I would be sorry to do), but for these considerations, that follow, the which hope doth teach me in saying, that I ought not to doubt but that your Grace and the rest of the Council will think that I do it for other considerations. First, because that she hath been with me a long time, and many years, and hath taken great labour and pain in bringing me up in learning and honesty; and, therefore, I ought of very duty speak for her; for Saint Gregory sayeth, "that we are more bound to them that bringeth us up well than to our parents, for our parents do that which is natural for them that bringeth us into this world, but our bringers up are a cause to make us live well in it." The second is, because I think that whatsoever she hath done in my Lord Admiral's matter, as concerning the marrying of me, she did it because knowing him to be one of the Council, she thought he would not go about any such thing without he had the Council's consent thereunto; for I have heard her many times say "that she would never have me marry in any place without your Grace's and the Council's consent." The third cause is, because that it shall, and doth make men think, that I am not clear of the deed myself; but that it is pardoned to me because of my youth, because that she I loved so well is in such a place. Thus hope, prevailing more with me than fear, hath won the battle, and I have at this time gone forth with it; which I pray God be taken no otherwise than it is meant. Written in haste from Hatfield, this seventh day of March. Also, if I may be so bold, not offending, I beseech your Grace and the rest of the Council to be good to Master Ashley, her husband, which, because he is my kinsman, I would be glad he should do well. Your assured friend, to my little power, ELIZABETH.

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