Page 21 - Fenning_Scoland

1641 - Letter from the Earl of Essex, later to be the 'Commander of the Parliamentary Forces'.

Sent from London to Edinburgh during the court visit of King Charles I to Edinburgh

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8 h September 1641 . Letter from the Robert Devereux, 3rd Earl of Essex in his own
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hand, written on gold-leaf edged writing paper, signed by him and sealed with the
Essex seal. The letter was sent from Essex House, a mansion in The Strand, London
to Lord Howard of Escrick in Edinburgh.
It has been established that Lord Howard was In Edinburgh at this time as It Is
documented that he had been sent to observe, on behalf of the English Parliament,
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King Charles I's Scottish negotiations. The king's visit to Edinburgh was from 14 h
August to 181h November 1641 .
Whether the letter was carried by Parliamentary messenger or by private messenger
is not evident. The letter does involve parliamentary business as it advises 'of the
intention of the house of commons this day to adjourn till the 2cl' of October'.

Robert Devereux, 3'd Earl of Essex, was an assiduous attender of parliament and
became a frequent critic of the king. Roberl Devereux

On 12 h July 1642 the Commons resolved that 'an army shall be forthwith raised for the safety of the king's person,
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the defence of both houses of parliament, and of those who have obeyed their orders and commands; and for the
preservation of the true religion, the laws, liberties and peace of the kingdom' and resolved 'that the Earl of Essex
be named general therof.

This was the beginning of the Civil War and General Robert Devereux commanded the English Parliament's
forces for the first thirty months of the war.