Description:Sir Richard’s papers indicate that he had been a prominent Royalist activist throughout the Civil War 1642-1645. This is reflected in his delinquency fine and imprisonment by the Parliamentarians in 1645. A number of letters in the Sutherland Papers refer to Sir Richard’s bail and parole from Parliamentary imprisonment in November 1645.
Sir Richard signs a letter dated 20th November 1645 which states that ‘it hath pleased Colonel Croxton Govenor of the Garison of Namptwich to give liberty to mee Sir Richarde Leveson knight of the Bath now prisoner in the said Garison’. The purpose of his ‘liberty’ is stated to be ‘to goo upon my parole to Trentome in Staffordshire for the preservation of my health & procuringe of monyes for my present maintenance’.
The letter states that Sir Richard returned to Trentham during his imprisonment, in order to restore his ‘health’ and to procure money to fund his maintenance. The document suggests that his release was made on condition of him giving his word as a gentleman that he would return. The letter states ‘I doe therefore engage myselfe to the sayd Collonell Croxton upon the word of a gentleman that I will returne to Namptwich and render myselfe a prisoner there (as formerly) within twenty & eight dayes’ These documents reflect the importance of a gentleman’s honour as a binding currency at this time.
It is significant to note that the letter is countersigned by Richard Atkyns, the famous army officer and writer on printing. It is stated that the countersignatures which appear on this, and similar documents, are signed to confirm ‘that hee shall really performe his ingagement above written’.
Click on the image on the left to learn more about Sir Richard's time as a Parliamentary Prisoner.