Letter to Robert Dudley, Earl of Leicester, from the Council of State of the United Provinces

Digital Record

Identifier: VMSS457_I27_O1

Staff Only

Image of Letter to Robert Dudley, Earl of Leicester, from the Council of State of the United Provinces

Dates

1586 May 29

Creator

Leicester, Robert Dudley, Earl of, 1532?-1588 (Person)
United Provinces of the Netherlands (correspondent, Organization)

Biographical / Historical

Robert Dudley, 1st Earl of Leicester, (1532?–1588) was an English statesman and the favourite of Elizabeth I from her accession until his death. He was a suitor for the Queen's hand for many years. In 1564, Dudley became Earl of Leicester and, from 1563, one of the greatest landowners in North Wales and the English West Midlands by royal grants. Leicester was one of Elizabeth's leading statesmen, involved in domestic as well as foreign politics alongside William Cecil and Francis Walsingham. As patron of the Puritan movement, he supported non-conforming preachers but tried to mediate between them and the bishops of the Church of England. A champion also of the international Protestant cause, he led the English campaign in support of the Dutch Revolt (1585–87).

Biographical / Historical

United Provinces of the Netherlands or Dutch Republic, was a federal republic which existed during the Dutch Revolt until 1795.

Extent

1 folded sheet (2 pages) ; 32 x 40 cm folded to 32 x 20 cm

Language of Materials

French, Middle (ca.1400-1600)

Additional Description

General Note

Letter signed by members of the Council of State of the United Provinces, with address to "Son Excellence" (the Earl of Leicester) on the second leaf. Written in French from Utrecht, Netherlands, 29 May 1586. The letter bears an impression of the seal of the Council of State of the United Provinces on the address leaf. The council informs Leicester that they are providing arms for the English troops, which had just arrived, as quickly as possible, and that this could have been done more expeditiously if they had been previously informed that the men were being sent without armament.