In the _Minutes of Evidence_ taken by the Select Committee on the
British Museum, in May, 1836, p. 308., mention is made of "a paper
giving an account of the landing of Perkin Warbeck, signed by Sir Henry
Wentworth, and dated 16th [17th] Sept. 1497," as of historical value.
This "paper" was at that time in the possession of the late Mr. Upcott;
and when I drew up for the society of Antiquaries the article on "Perkin
Warbeck's History," printed in the _Archaeologia_, vol. xxvii. pp.
153-210., I had no opportunity of seeing it, and therefore merely made a
brief reference to it in a foot-note. The document subsequently passed,
together with a large and valuable portion of Upcott's collection, into
the hands of M. Donnadieu, and at the recent sale of that gentleman's
collection of autographs was purchased for the British Museum. It is a
letter from Sir Harry Wentworth of Nettlested, co. Suffolk (ancestor of
the Barons Wentworth), addressed to Sir William Calverley, of Calverley
in Yorkshire, from whom descended the extinct baronets of that name. The
letter is not of great historical importance, yet, as furnishing some
notices of the measures taken by the king, on learning that Perkin had
landed in Cornwall, on the 7th of September (only ten days previous), it
will not be read without interest. The letter is written on a strip of
paper measuring eleven inches by four inches, and is signed only by Sir
Harry Wentworth.
"Right wourshipfulle cosin, I recommend me vnto you. And where[1]
it fortuned me in my retourne home frome Westchestre, to meit my
lord Darby, my lord Strange, and other at Whalley abbey, by whome
I had the sight of suche lettres as were directed vnto theme frome
the kinges grace; apperceyuing by the same that Perkin Warbeke is
londid in the west parties, in Cornevelle, wherfore I wolle pray
you, and allso in the kinges name aduertise you, to be in
aredynes[2] in your owin persone, with suche company as you make,
to serue his highnes, vpon an our[3] warnyng, whan his grace
shalle calle vpone you. For the which I doubte not but his highnes
shalle geve you thankes accordinge. As our lord knoith, who
preserue you! Wretin in the kinges castelle of Knaresburght, the
xvij dey of Septembre.
"your [frend] and cosyne, syr
"Harry Wentworth.
"Addressed
To his wourshipfulle cosin syr William
Caluerly, knight, in haste."
[Footnote 1: whereas.]
[Footnote 2: readiness.]
[Footnote 3: hour's.]
The Lord Strange mentioned in the above letter was the third son of the
Earl of Derby, and died at Derby House, London, on the 5th Dec. 1497,
less than three months after the letter was written.