Sir Richard Leveson, William Dugdale and John Langley: Letters in the Sutherland Papers from William Dugdale

Description:National and International News

Dugdale’s letters also communicate national and international news. In one letter he refers to events in the Anglo-Spanish War of 1655-60. He notes that Admirall Pen had returned from Jamaica with the Navy, adding ‘others feare that we have lost soe much by this voyage that there will be little encouragement to adventure again. It is sayd that 3 of the best ships were blown up or fired and many men perisht in the accident.’ Dugdale’s account describes events but also portrays contemporary perceptions of the Anglo-Spanish War, making his letters particularly historically valuable.

Dugdale also writes about incidents relating to prominent politicians. Writing about Oliver Cromwell he notes ‘The protector hath been very ill last weeke, but they say he is now recovered.’ His letters also include an account of Cromwell’s Uncle Oliver’s accidental death when ‘by some weaknesse or swowne’ the gentleman fell into a fire. His letters also provide an insight into England’s military strategy at this time. Dugdale notes in one letter that ‘we shall have a new militia setled in 7 or 8 parts of the Nation’.

Reporting national political developments to Leveson and Langley, Dugdale comments that the government were ‘very busie…in most counties as I heare to establish Godly Ministers in all places’. Dugdale’s letters tell us about the Government’s strategy in appointing Ministers, suggesting that ‘their being strict scrutinie made into those that are the present Incumbents’. He refers to an incident involving a Minister in Hertfordshire, writing ‘they have questioned Lambert Osbaston for impudence, ignorance, and debauchednesse’. Dugdale adds that the Government ‘having proved that he pledgd an health about six years ago, have outed him of a rich parsonage in Hertfordshire, where he was very well liked of for his good hospitality’. The letters reflect the stringent restrictions concerning the behaviour of those entrusted with religious authority at this time.

Dugdale comments on affairs abroad, noting particularly their effect on life in England. He writes in one account that ‘we have sad news’, informing John Langley that ‘our merchants whose traffic is with Spain’ are suffering ‘for the Catholique king is soe much incensed against us for the businesse of Hispaniola & Jamaca, that he hath caused all those Merchants goods…which are within his domineons to be seized on’.

The extracts above provide only a brief overview of the wealth of detail and intrigue to be found in William Dugdale’s letters. Some of the letters include additional documents, such as enclosed notes on a sermon about bad rulership given in the presence of Oliver Cromwell at Hampton Court in August 1655. Dugdale’s correspondence is extremely valuable, conveying the observations of a prominent figure near to the centre of political and religious developments during the mid seventeenth century.

Attachments

Transcription of William Dugdale's Letter (31 KB)