Add MS 73086

SIR WALTER RALEGH: Collection of documents relating to his arraignment and execution, etc.; 1603-1618, n.d. Early-17th cent. copies, in several hands. Items 1-3 below were printed in Edward Edwards's Life of Sir Walter Ralegh . . . together with his letters, 2 vols., 1868.

Paper: ff. iv+30. 296 x 190mm. Single folded gathering of thirty leaves bearing watermarked of small horn-in-shield, with traces of modern black sewing-cotton in central gutter. Limp vellum wrapper carrying, on front and back covers (ff. i, ii), ownership-inscription of 'Cha[rles] Kemeys', who may possibly be identified with Sir Charles Kemeys (c. 1614-1658), 2nd Bart. 1648, of Cefn Mably, co. Glamorgan. Jotting inside front cover (f. iv), partially erased, concludes 'ye 23d of July (93'. The texts incorporate marginal annotations in pencil by Agnes Latham. Also included are a typewritten description (f. iii) and a receipt (f. iv), with export-licence number, made out on 23 April 1949 to Mrs Bryher.

The contents are as follows:

1. f. 1. 'A Letter from Sr Walter Rawleigh Knight (being prisonner in the Towre of London) Sent unto Sr Ro: Carre knight (afterwards Viscount Rochester Earle of Somerset Lord Privie Seale, and one of the kings privie Councell) when he had obtained Sherborne Castle of the kinge which belonged to Sir Walter Raleigh before his Conviction'; 2 Jan. 1608/9. For another copy see below, Add. 73087, no. 2. Printed in Edwards, op. cit., II, pp. 326-8, with variants from the present text listed by Cecil Deedes in Notes and Queries, 8th Ser., vol. IV, 12 Aug. 1893, pp. 121-2.

2. ff. 2-19v. 'The Arraignement of Sir Walter Raleigh Knight. At Winchester, on Thursday the xvijth of November. Anno Domini 1603 . . .'. Partly printed in Edwards op. cit., vol. I, pp. 382-439 passim.

3. ff. 20-22. 'Sir Walter Raleigh his speace [sic] att the time of his death', concluding with a copy of the verses 'Eaven such is tyme that takes in trust'; 1618. Printed in Edwards op. cit., vol. I, pp. 699-704. For another copy see 70136, ff. 14-18.

4. ff. 23-25v. [Thomas Scott, B.D.]: 'Vox Spiritus or Sr Walter Raleighs Ghost. A Conference between Sr Gondamor his Maities Embassador of Spaine the Fryer Confessor, and Father Baldwin the Jesuite, at Elye House in Holburne'; [10 Nov.] 1622. Printed as Sir Walter Rawleighs ghost, 'Utricht' [i.e. London], 1626. For another copy see Harley MS 7187, ff. 1-31v. ff. 23-25v.

Agnes Latham, literary scholar: Marginal annotations: early 17th cent.

includes:

• ff. 2-19v Sir Walter Ralegh, alias Raleigh; military and naval commander; author: City of Winchester: Arraignment , at Winchester (co. Hants.): 1603: Copy.
• ff. 20-22 Sir Walter Ralegh, alias Raleigh; military and naval commander; author: Speech on the scaffold, with verses `Even such is time. . .': 1618: Copy.
• f. 22 Sir Walter Ralegh, alias Raleigh; military and naval commander; author: Verses `Even such is time. . .': 1618: Copy.
• ff. 23-25v Diego Sarmiento d'Acuña, Count Gondomar; Spanish Ambassador in London: Holborn, Middlesex: William Baldwin, English Jesuit: Fictional conference with, rel. to Sir W. Ralegh , at Ely House Holborn, co. Midd: 1622: Copy.
• ff. 23-25v Thomas Scott, BD; political writer: `Vox Spiritus or Sir Walter Raleighs Ghost': 1622: Copy.