That this letter was written in the year 1621, and not ten years earlier,
is evident from the references to contemporary events. The contrast
between Donne's circumstances as indicated in the present letter and his
situation at the date of the preceding letter is striking. In less than
three months from August 30th, 1621, he became Dean of Saint Paul's; from
this date until the end his fame both as preacher and as saint, continued
in the ascendent.
Archbishop Abbot's "accident" was his unfortunate killing of a game-keeper
in Lord Zouch's park. No one doubted that the killing was accidental, but
it was questioned whether the homicide, even though involuntary, did not
render him incapable of holding the see of Canterbury. A commission
appointed to inquire into the ecclesiastical status of the Archbishop at
length reported that his title was without flaw. "Lady _Nethersoles_" is
Goodyer's daughter Lucy, the wife of Sir Francis Nethersole.