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British Library, Lansdowne Manuscripts

BL MSS La 20, 51

[Transcribed by Dr Caroline Bowden for the project The Health of the Cecils]

[No 51 1575 Ld Russell to Ld Burghley on delivery of a baby girl]

God having delivered a pore Lady of a great feare and tormente, I doe bothe as joyfully and as speadely as I canne lett your Lordship knowe therof. And thoohe I could have wyshed wythe all my harte to have hade a boye, yet the daunger that I stoode yn of loosynge bothe doothe make me to rejoice yn havynge a pearle. I have nott yet syns my wyves delivery spoken wythe my father, whom I meane to desire to be the godfather. I think I shall fynde hym nether glade of the matter nor wyllynge to accept yt, some newe stur seamethe to have drawne hys mynde farther from me then before. My parte be noe to offer yt, I wyll refere the successe to hys pleasure. I canne nott tell what surety I maye make of the Quenes acceptation yf I shoolde beseache her Magesty to be Godmother wyche I thinke beste nott to leave untried. I meane shortly to wayte upon your Lordship at the Courte, at wyche tyme I wyll crave your Lordships advyse and refere my selfe heryn to your dyrectyon, and so I humbly take my leave. At Westmynster Coolleage the 22 of October
Your Lordships lovynge brother yn lawe and assured to commaunde

[On cover: 22 Oct 1575]