Papers relating to Henry Rich, Earl of Holland, 1645-1670

Nine documents relating to the career and family of the first Earl of Holland. The collection contains Holland's 1648 will, written "considering the violence and accidents in this time of danger and distraction;" a letter to his wife and daughters, probably dating from shortly after his capture, in which he declares his loyalties and consoles them that "where there can bee no shame let there bee no sorow;" and a letter from Holland in prison to his daughter Frances in which he comments that "prisoners know litle yet thinke muche" and accurately predicts both the failure of the Treaty of Newport negotiations and the repercussions for the King

Other documents include a legal opinion and financial statement connected with the settlement of Lord Holland's estate; a letter from the Duchess of Ormonde to Lady Paget concerning her son's repentance for the "error" of demanding a higher allowance; a letter from Elizabeth, Countess of Holland to her sister on the family's finances; two letters from Diana Ashurst to her father, Lord Paget, written shortly after her marriage in 1670; and an order by Charles Gerard that the army not quarter at Beaudesert, Lord Paget's seat