I07 



l3ocumcnts iJlelatibc to ti)t Sctiuestration of 

 ti^e Hevigsi^irc (JBstatcs of ^f)ilip» first CBarl 

 of ^i^tsterflcltf. 



By J. Charles Cox, LL.D., F.S.A. 



MONO the Meynell MSS., at Meynell Langley, are 

 various original papers pertaining to the Sequestration 

 of the estates of the Derbyshire loyahsts during the 

 Commonwealth. The most distinguished Derbyshire 

 supporter of the cause of the King was Sir Philip Stanhope, 

 created Baron Stanhope of Shelford in 1616, and Earl of Chester- 

 field in 1626. When the Civil War broke out, the Earl garrisoned 

 his houses at Bretby and Shelford, and seized on the city of 

 Lichfield for the King. The Earl lost two sons (Philip and 

 Ferdinand), as well as most of his fortune, in the wars, and was 

 himself taken prisoner and kept in confinement until his death 

 in 1656. 



The following interesting and original documents pertaining to 

 the Earl's Derbyshire estates and his family are now for the first 

 time printed. They throw much light on the working of the Seques- 

 tration Acts during the Commonwealth. The members of the 

 Derbyshire Archaeological Society are again indebted to the 

 courtesy of Godfrey F. Meynell, Esq., of Meynell Langley, one of 

 the Society's vice-presidents, for the opportunity and permission 

 afforded to the Editor of giving these transcripts. 



