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A sample of XVIIth century English

Monteagle letter

In 1589 William Parker, 10th Baron Morley and 3rd Lord Monteagle, married Elizabeth Tresham, the sister of Francis Tresham, one of the people involved in the plot. Tresham was worried that the explosion would kill his friend and brother-in-law, Lord Monteagle. On 26th October Tresham sent Lord Monteagle a letter warning him not to attend Parliament on 5th November.

Lord Monteagle became suspicious and passed the letter to Robert Cecil, the king's chief minister and Secretary of State. Cecil quickly organised a thorough search of the Houses of Parliament. While searching the cellars below the House of Lords they found the gunpowder and Guy Fawkes.

James I was very grateful to Lord Monteagle and gave him an annuity of £500 for life, plus lands worth a further £200 per year. Rumours soon began circulating that the conspiracy was really devised by Monteagle and Robert Cecil. It was claimed that Monteagle arranged for Francis Tresham to be poisoned while being held captive in the Tower of London.

Lord Monteagle used the money to invest in the Virginia, East India and Northwest Passage companies. Monteagle also served as a member of the board of Virginia Company.

'My lord out of the love i beare to some of youere frends i have a care of youer preservacion hterefor i would advyse yowe as yowe tender youer lyf to devys some exscuse to shift of youer attendance at this parleament for god and man hath concurred to punishe the wickednes of this tyme and thinke not slightlye of this advertisement but retyere youre self into youre contri wheare yowe maye expect the event in safti for thowght theare be no apparance of anni stir yet i saye they shall receyve a terrible blowe this parleament and yet they shall not sei who hurts them this councel is not to be contemned because it maye do youwe good and can do yowe no harme for the dangere is passed as soon as yowe hve burnt the letter and i hope god will give yowe the grace to mak good use of it to whose holy proteccion i commend yowe.'

"My lord, out of the love I bear to some of your friends, I have a care for your preservation. Therefore I would advise you, as you tender your life, to devise some excuse to shift of your attendance of this Parliament, for God and man hath concurred to punish the wickedness of this time. And think not slightly of this advertisement but retire yourself into your country, where you may expect the event in safety, for though there be no appearance of any stir, yet I say they shall receive a terrible blow, the Parliament, and yet they shall not see who hurts them.. This counsel is not to be contemned, because it may do you good and can do you know harm, for the danger is past as soon as you have burnt the latter: and I hope God will give you the grace to make good use of it, to whose holy protection I commend you."

Grammar tip of the month

apital etters

Remember the following words always take capital letters:

Days

Months

Nationalities

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	Macmillan Dictionary On Line (free to anybody who has bought an edition of the Macmillan English Dictionary)
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Oxford English Dictionary On Line (subscription required)	Club member Ariana Loker has sent us an interesting link to this slang dictionary. Check it out! www.peevish.co.uk/slang/