The Littlecote Tradition. 241 



The, nearly cotemporary, Deposition of Mrs. Barnes (printed 

 vi., 392) confirmed Aubrey's tradition in the most remarkable 

 way, but it lacked exact dates and names. An original letter 

 written at the very time by Sir Henry Knyvett of Charlton to Sir 

 John Thyune has just now been discovered by myself among the 

 Marquis of Bath's Papers at Longleat, which leaves very little to be 

 desired. Supplying, as it does, no less than three most important 

 particulars, viz., the year, the name of the female whose child was 

 believed to have been destroyed, and the name of the gentleman 

 accused, this letter will now go very far to establish, almost 

 beyond the possibility of doubt, that the Littlecote Tradition, 

 in its main and material point, is founded on Fact. 



SIR HENRY KNYVETT TO SIR JOHN THYNNE. 



" Syr, I besetch you lett me crave so much favor of you, as to procure your 

 Servant * Mr. Bonham moste effectually to examin Ms sister tochinge her usage 

 att Will"". Dorrell's, thie berth of her children, howe many they were, and 

 what becam of them. She shall have no cawse off feare ti-ulie to confes the 

 uttermost ; for I will defend her from all perill howe so ever the case fall owte. 

 The brute" (bruit, or report) " of the murder of one of them increaseth fowlely, 

 and theare falleth owte such other heyghnous matter against him, as will toch 



him to the quick. From Charlton this ij"' of January 1578, 



Your loving friend 

 (Address) " To the right worshipful and my very 



lovinge friend S' John Thynne Knyght H. Knyvett." 



Geve this." 



The rest of the letter, which is very short, refers to another 

 matter wholly foreign to the subject. 



J. E. JACKSON. 



• The word " servant " was of tea used at this period to signify not a menial or domestic servant, 

 but an official or agent. 



z2 



