Description:In many of Sir Richard’s private letters to Sir John he comments on his secret knowledge of political affairs. The letters tell us his private opinion of events which occurred in the late sixteenth and early seventeenth centuries. The language he uses in these letters reflects the suspicion and secrecy surrounding England’s military strategies during this period.
In a letter dated 2nd of September 1601 Sir Richard writes ‘touchinge the affayres I will wryte you what I heare which I pray you to concealle because it is a thinge yet kept secret’. Sir Richard appears very concerned about secrecy, noting in a further letter to Sir John ‘I must be short and I dare not write many thinges unto you which I am desirous to do because I will not comit to papers’.
He goes on to comment that ‘the kinge will not be drawen in open Tearmes to breake out with the kinge of spaygne, but lyke a true Machevill will a whille looke on, expectinge the event of both ou[r] Raynes anf then lyke a greedy fox will take his praye’.
Again, the historical value of these private letters is evident in these few extracts which offer a personal perspective on national events from a man who was instrumental in
English military affairs throughout the late sixteenth century.