Image bank: Letter describing London November 1666

Part of letter written by Robert Southwell to Lord Arlington, November 1666
TNA: SP 89/7 f306

This is part of a letter written by Robert Southwell to Lord Arlington, Secretary of State dated November 7th 1666. Robert Southwell was a British diplomat in Lisbon sent to help bring peace with Portugal in April 1666.

Questions for exploring this document:
1. Can you have a go at reading this bit of Robert’s letter?
2. If it is too hard to read your teacher will help you!
3. Can you correct these spelling mistakes in the letter?

dirdfull
noe,
evill
yet
Portugese

4. What do you think of way this letter is written?

Transcript

The dirdfull news concerning the fire at London, is very much received and taken to heart even by the Portugese; yett they are glad to see noe evill consequence to England, but on the contrary the resolution that is found in all men of never submitting to an ignoble Peace.

Simplified transcript

The Portuguese are sorry to hear about the terrible news of the fire and are glad that it has not proved to be such a total disaster and the people are making the best of things.

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Created by the Museum of London, in partnership with The National Archives, London Fire Brigade Museum, National Portrait Gallery and London Metropolitan Archives.