Letter from Ralph Hope to Joseph Williamson. Catalogue ref: SP 29/171 f12
Joseph Williamson (1633-1701) was the Under-Secretary of State (1660-74) and Keeper of the State Papers which he reorganised from 1661-1701. He also started the ‘Oxford Gazette’ at the time of the Great Plague in 1665, which later became established as the ‘London Gazette’.
- How have people in Coventry responded to news of the fire, according to Ralph Hope?
- How has the fire damaged Coventry’s cloth trade?
- What anti-Catholic sentiment is inferred by the letter?
- Why do you think the town is under armed guard with a night watch?
Transcript
Coventry, 7 September 1666
Ralph Hope to Williamson
‘Tis impossible for pen to express the sad influence the calamitous & deplorable fate of poor London has generally had upon our sorrowfully sympathizing city wherein. I think is not that person in whose countenance may not apparently be read the lively character of real grief, every man having espoused so pathetical a sense of the general disaster yet tis hard to say whether it or his own particular concerns in it be receive with the greatest regret. Our city proves enough God knows before, has had a very ample share in the loss, may being undone by it especially our poor clothiers, many or most of whom had their whole estates lying there in cloth and now all or the greatest part destroyed. We saw frequent & hot alarms of firings of several other places of apprehending persons & discovery of plots, designs, fireballs etc., many of which, upon a strict enquiry being found Roman Catholic, we give the less credit to the rest. Yet I had it, last night out of Leicestershire from a very serious hand that at Leicester are seized several upon very eminent suspicion that at Bricknell near Lutterworth were some persons apprehended and being searched had several fire balls found upon them of the bigness of tennis balls. He himself affirming to have seen one of them. They were immediately sent to prison. Now are we finding here to be most industriously vigilant, trained bands are in arms, & most severely strict watching & warding is kept, every housekeeper of what degree soever going personally upon the duty. We have been startled by a strange kind of robbery committed in several places hereabout. Many sheep having been killed in the field and only their tallow taken away. Both flesh & fell [animal hide] left behind of which some gave this conviction that the tallow might probably be intended for the making up of fire balls and such combustible compositions. One of the malefactors is apprehended, who confesses-
Side of document
Confesses the fact, but that it was done mainly through poverty, and he had sold the tallow. How it will prove I know not. Yesterday afternoon, the Mayor and Sir Thomas Norton, one our Deputy Lieutenants, upon notice given went out of Church and discovered a conventicle [secret, unlawful meeting] of several persons against whom they intend to proceed with much severity.
Most obligated servant
Ralph Hope
Simplified transcript
Coventry, 7 September 1666
Ralph Hope to Williamson
It is impossible put into words the sad effect the awful and unforgivable fate of poor London has generally had upon our sad city. In everyone’s face you can see real grief, though it is hard to say if its due to the fire or his own particular worries. Our city has also had a very real share in the loss, especially our poor clothiers, many had their businesses for the most part destroyed. We have seen frequent and false alarms of firings of several other places and the arrest of people and the discovery of plots, plans, and fireballs. After enquiries being made many have been found to be Roman Catholic. We do not believe the others. But I heard, last night that in Leicestershire, from a very important source, in Leicester some people were seized on serious suspicion and, that at Bricknell (near Lutterworth) some people were stopped. When searched, several fire balls were found, the size of tennis balls. The source said they have seen one of them. These people were immediately sent to prison.
Here, we are highly vigilant, and the trained bands are armed. A strict night watch and patrol is kept. Every housekeeper, whoever they are, is personally doing this. We have also been shocked by a strange kind of robbery committed in several places here. Many sheep have been killed in the field and only their animal fat [tallow] removed. Both meat and animal skin left behind, some have concluded that the animal fat might probably be intended to make fire balls and such things to cause fire. One of culprits has been arrested and confessed that it was done mainly because of poverty, and he sold the tallow. What will happen, I don’t know. Yesterday afternoon, the Mayor and Sir Thomas Norton, one our Deputy Lieutenants, when warned, discovered a secret, unlawful meeting of several persons against whom they intend to take strong action.
Most obliged servant
Ralph Hope