By the Rev. Canon J. E. Jackson, F.S8.A. 61 
How long he was abroad I know not: but his wife would of 
necessity be left at home. We lose sight of them entirely for three 
years, if not more, but at the end of that time she re-appears: in a 
letter written from herself, which for a long time was the only one 
known to be in existence. 
That letter is preserved in the British Museum (Harl. MS. 4712). 
[A fac-simile isannexed.] It refers only to a comparatively trifling 
matter, but it is really very useful in revealing to us, most in- 
artificially, what her domestic position was in the seventh or eighth 
year of marriage. It is dated 7th August, no year being named : 
but as it refers to their farm at Sydisterne, in Norfolk, it could 
not have been written before 1557, because that property did 
not come into their hands (as is known from deeds) before that year. 
I think however that it must have been written still later, and in the 
first or second year of Queen Elizabeth, 1558 and 1559: because it 
speaks of Dudley’s being called away on weighty business. The 
substance of it is this: Sydisterne was a large sheep-farm with 
3000 sheep upon it: and their agent or steward was a Mr. 
Flowerdew. He had written to Dudley about some of the farm 
affairs, and particularly about some poor people who were waiting for 
some money. Lord Robert had been called off in a hurry, without 
answering that letter: so the steward writes a second time, and the 
second letter comes into Amye’s hands. She sends a courteous 
apology to the agent for his first not having been answered, explains 
the reason, and having full authority to settle ail matters, she orders 
him to sell some wool, even at a loss, so as not to keep the poor 
people waiting any longer for their money.! 
1Tn order to assist the reader in deciphering the fac-simile the text of it is 
subjoined :— : 
‘Mr. flowardue I yndarstand by gryse * yt you put 
hym in remembreance of y* you spake to me of 
consaruing y*goying of sertayne shepe at systorne / & 
althowe I forgot to moue my lorde therof before 
his departyng he beyng sore trubeled wt wayty 
affares / & I not beyng all to gether in quyet for 
his soden departyng yet not w‘ standyng knowing 
ay Grise was a steward, whose name appears in the account books, He had ceased to be so, before 
22nd December, 1559, 
