MRP: 5th November 1662, Letter from Marlborough to Sir GO, Swally

From MarineLives
Jump to: navigation, search

5th November 1662, Letter from Marlborough to Sir GO, Swally

BL, Add. MS. XX, XXX, f. 9

Editorial history

23/06/09, CSG: Completed transcription
18/12/11, CSG: Page created




Abstract & context


Marlborough wrote to Sir George Oxenden in a letter dated November 5th, 1662. The letter was sent from Swally Hole, the Surat port at the mouth of the River Tapti, downstream from the city of Surat.

In this letter, Marlborough congratulated Sir George Oxenden on his arrival at Surat. With the letter he sent a small barrel of sherry for Oxenden, and a couple of cheddar cheeses for Mathew Andrewes, the retiring President at Surat. On the day of writing, Marlborough had been fasting for his health, but others on the ship were "eateing of y:e Buck" to recognise the solemnity of the day.

Marlborough was XXXX


Suggested links


See 2nd January 1662/63, Letter from Marlborough to Sir GO, Swally Hole
See 14th January 1662/62, Letter from Marlborough to Sir GO, Angedeiva


To do


(1) Check transcription against physical manuscript at BL


Transcription


This transcription has been completed, but requires checking

BL, Add. MS. XX, XXX, f. 9

[f.9]

S:r

I am glad to have heard of yo. good arrivall at Surr:tt & thank you for the Cassia; I have sent a small barrell of sherry I would it wore more my & better, I have also sent a Couple of Cheddar Cheeses, for M:r Andrewes[1] to take his choice; y:e remaineing one if you will not use it your selfe bestow whoare you please. This is y:e 5t:h of November I fast in order for my health, But others must feast in order to y:e sollomnity of y:e day; & especially for y:e eateing of y:e Buck.[2] I need not tell you y:t they are not like to for get ("for" & "get" are separate words in the original) yo:r health, nor shall I your kindnesse, & myne owne obligacion of being.

Yo. affectionate servant
Marleburgh

Swally 5th Novemb:r 1662



Notes

Pepys & November 5th observation


Of the nine diary entries for November 5th made by Samuel Pepys between 1660 and 1668, three mention specific celebrations. Pepys' comments dwell on bonfires and fireworks, rather than specific meals or feasts. The meals he ate on those three days, and indeed on the other November 5th entries, did not attract his specific attention.

November 5th, 1660

"This 5th of November is observed exceeding well in the City; and at night great bonfires and fireworks."[3]

November 5th, 1661

"To the Dolphin, where he and I and Captain Cocke sat late and drank much, seeing the boys in the streets flying their crackers, this day being kept all the day very strictly in the City."[4]

November 5th, 1664

"Thence home; the coach being forced to go round by London Wall home, because of the bonefires; the day being mightily observed in the City."[5]
  1. ↑ ?Mathew Andrewes?
  2. ↑ Write a short note on seventeenth century practices associated with November 5th. Check Samuel Pepys diaries
  3. ↑ http://www.pepysdiary.com/archive/1660/11/05/, viewed 17/01/12
  4. ↑ http://www.pepysdiary.com/archive/1661/11/05/, viewed 17/01/12
  5. ↑ http://www.pepysdiary.com/archive/1664/11/05/, viewed 17/01/12

Retrieved from ‘http://www.marinelives.org/index.php?title=MRP:_5th_November_1662,_Letter_from_Marlborough_to_Sir_GO,_Swally&oldid=11555’