HISTORICAL LETTERS

Evening Star, Issue 12606, 11 September 1905, Page 6

HISTORICAL LETTERS

Tbe discovery was recently made of some interesting historical documents at Gifton Hall, Notts, the seat of Colonel Hen«ey Brooe, the descendant and representative of the Cliftou family established there sinco the reign of Henry 111. Mrs Brace examined a large sack, crammed wi& papera and parchmente, which had been -undistßrbect fox at least a century in an upperrtore room of the house, and the content* proved. says the ' Nottingham Daily Gnanfism.' t" include a. large number of deed* and giants, among winch are impressionsof the Great Seain of Richard IL, Henry Tffl., Kdward VI., Mary 1., and Elizabeth. There were hmidreds of letters, some as early at> the sixteenth century, bet most of the addressed to Sir Gerrsse Clifton, who was an active supporter of Charles I. There are two letters from Kins: Charles 1., one being a commission to Sir Gervase CBfton regarding the suit of Sir John fhrckfing for thehand of Anne WiTlooghby. which had an amusing termination, the unfortunate poet being soundly cudgelled by another suitor, Sir John Bigby. The other letter contained an invitation to send arms and ammunition to Castle immediately after the raising of the Standard in August, 1642.' A very o/aaintly worded letter from Cardinal Richelieu introduces Matthew Camfrey, a Snroyard, of the Order of St. Bennet, end there are many fetters from Thomas Wentwcrth (afterwards Earl of Strafford). Lord Kingston. Lord and Lady Lord Salisbury, Lord Exeter, and Lord Clifford. There are atao receipts showing that in 1649 Sir Gervase Clifton was fined, and paid, £7.265 "for his Defintrnency to the Parliament."