By the Rev. Canon J. E. Jackson, F.S.A. 71 
he would be immediately suspected of having in some way led to the 
violent death. If he had gone down in person, his presence might 
probably have over-awed a country jury, and hindered them from 
speaking out and asking questions freely. Or it might be said that 
he had bribed them not to be too inquisitive. He therefore wisely 
staid away: but he urged, in the very strongest terms, that no pains 
should be spared to find out if it were done by villainy, and the 
guilty parties to be declared. Also that all his wife’s own relations 
should be sent for: thus giving to her family every opportunity of 
fair play. 
His letter (as given in Mr. Pettigrew’s pamphlet) was as follows :— 
* Cosin Blount. 
Immediately upon your departing from me there came to me Bowes, 
by whom I do understande that my wife is dead, &, as he saithe, by a fall from 
a pair of staires. Little other understandingecan I havefrom him. The great- 
ness & the suddennesse of the mysfortune doth so perplex me, untill I do heare 
from you how the matter standeth, or howe this evill doth light upon me, con- 
sidering what the malicious world will bruyte [¢.e., will say] as I can take no 
rest. And, because I have no waie to purge myselfe of the malicious talke that 
I knowe the wicked worlde will use, but one, which is the verie plaine truth to 
be knowen, Ido praye you, as you have loved me, and do tender me & my 
quietness, and as nowe my special truste is in you, that you will use all devises 
& meanes you can possible for the learning of the truth; wherein have no 
respect to any living person: & as by your own travell & diligence, so likewise 
by order of lawe, [I mean, by calling of the Coroner, & charging him to the 
uttermost, from me, to have good regard to make choyse of no light or slight 
persons, but the discreetest & substantial men for the juries: such as for their 
knowledge may be able to search honorablie & duelie, by all manner of ex- 
amynacions, the bottom of the matter: & for their uprightness will earnestlie & 
sincearlie deale therein, without respect. And that the bodie be viewed & 
searched accordinglie by them: and in every respect to proceede by order & 
lawe. In the mean tyme, cosin Blount, let me be advertysed from you by this 
berer, with all spede, howe the matter doth stande: for, as the cause & the 
manner thereof doth marvelously trouble me, considering my case many waies, 
so shall I not be at rest till I may be ascertayned thereof: prayinge you ever, 
as my truste is in you, & as I have ever loved you, do not dissemble with me, 
neither let anythinge be hid from me, but sende me your trewe conceyt and opinion 
of the matter, whether it happened by evill chance or villainye: and faill not to 
let me heare contynewallie from you. And thus fare you well. In moch hast, 
from Windsore, this IX‘ day of September in the eveninge. Your lovinge frend 
and kynsman, moch perplexed. 
R.D.” 
Lady Dudley had (as T mentioned above) a half-brother, John 
