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

Description:News From London

Similar in content to the letters in the Sutherland Papers from Rachel and Francis Newport, William Dugdale’s letters inform Sir Richard and John Langley of news from London. His accounts refer to events occurring in London, and also refer to wider national and international news.

Dugdale’s letters include accounts of criminal activity in London. In one letter he describes an ‘unhappy accident at St James’, involving escaped prisoners. He writes: ‘Three gentlemen who had been prisoners about 4 months; the one his name is Holder…the other Tirrell, & the third Jackson or Johnson, attempting to make their escape, and being pursued into the Parke by a souldier, shot the souldier with a pistol & broke his Arme, and being since taken about Spring Garden, are layd in Irons’.

Similar to Rachel Newport’s letters to Sir Richard Leveson, Dugdale’s letters also communicate gossip, particularly concerning the financial affairs of the men's contemporaries. Dugdale notes in one letter ‘I am told that Colonel Harvey (who hath the Bishop of London & seat at Fulham) though he be out of the Tower is not forgiven…for they say that all he hath is seized on for noe lesse then 56 thousand pounds.’

Attachments

Transcription of William Dugdale's Letter (31 KB)