The back of a letter often gave the address details of the recipient as people did not use envelopes in this period. Instead, letters were folded and sealed.
The author of the letter was written on the back when it was filed: ‘Parliament Joan’, another name for Elizabeth Alkin. As well as being a nurse, she carried out more secret duties for Parliament.
Transcript
For the right worshipful Mr Blackbourne
Secretary to the Comissioners of the Navie at Whitehall
there deliver
London
[Bottom of letter, upside down]
2 July 1653
Parliament Joanes
Letter
This is the reverse of source 4a. A note saying ‘Parliament Joan’s Letter’ was added when it was filed.
- Can you see the lines where the letter would have been folded?