Letter from Lord Maynard at Eton to Joseph Williamson, 9 September 1666. Catalogue ref: SP 29/171 f10.
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’.
- Why is Lord Maynard keen to hear news about the fire from a ‘Gazette’?
- What does his letter reveal about the possible explanations for the fire?
- What did he hear about conflict with the Dutch?
- Does the letter infer anything about his relationship to Joseph Williamson?
Transcript
To Mr Williamson
Eton September 9, 1666, from W. Lord Maynard
This sad late calamity has had us thirst more than ever after news in hopes of hearing some that would give us some comfort, but having neither your letter, nor much as a Gazette our spirits are only more and more depressed with sad stories of particular people’s ruins, and by several relations we are in ignorance whether this fire were by treachery or chance. Diverse persons lately come into the country, do affirm that 8 or 9 men were taken about [Marylebone] who had made great quantities of fireworks, some whereof a servant of mine says he saw, & one [firework] that was tried & burnt though put in a tub of water. He says also that on Friday morning where was a papist knight taken who had fired a house in Holborn where he lay, thousands of such like reports we hear but know not what to believe till I have if from you or some other credible hand. We hear also that the fleet is come in having beaten the Dutch and taken several ships, such news would now be welcome to comfort our spirits. The lord in mercy grant it us. I pray let our Francis give me as full an account of all things back at home & abroad, as you may communicate & if you would like any venison, let me know by the return of this bearer whom I have appointed to call for your letter tomorrow night about 8 a clock & I shall take care to send it according to your directions &
Ever be your faithful servant, William Maynard.
Simplified transcript
To Mr Williamson
Eton, September 9, 1666, from W. Lord Maynard
After this sad recent disaster were desperate for some good news but having no letter from you or even a Gazette newspaper, our spirits are even more depressed with the sad stories of peoples’ losses. We hear various accounts but are not sure whether this fire was caused by treachery or chance. Various people coming to the area say that 8 or 9 men were taken near Marylebone who had made great quantities of fireworks. A servant of mine says he saw, a firework that was tried & burnt, even though it was put in a tub of water. He says also that on Friday morning a Catholic knight was arrested as he had fired a house in Holborn where he was staying. There are thousands of similar reports, but don’t t know not what to believe. I need to hear it from you or some other person I can trust. We hear also that the fleet has returned having beaten the Dutch and taken several ships, such news would now be welcome to comfort our spirits. Please God grant this to be true! I pray let our Francis give me as full an account of all things back at home & abroad, as you may communicate. If you would like any venison, let me know by the return of this carrier whom I have appointed to call for your letter tomorrow night about 8 o’ clock and I shall take care to send it according to your directions &
Ever be your faithful servant, William Maynard.