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S^r

Att my brothers being last in London upon some discourse that past betweene the Countesse of Bridgwater and him concerning her children the young Ladyes yo^r: patients infirmityes, shee as a tender and affectionate mother did apprehen that upon the strangenesse of my Ladye Alices fitts there might be some doubt whether they proceeded from any natural Cause, or from the malediction of some evill disposed bodye, and although shee be not over credulous, nor could imagine who should owe her so mutch spight; except it should be on Quicke the husband of the gentlewoman who waytes upon the Ladyes who is a lewd fellowe and rayles against his wife for not living w^th him wher as he is not able to keepe her, and is maintayned by the Countesse upon charitye; This wicked fellowe seemes mutch incensed against his wife and the Countesse also, and heretofore his wife M^rs: Quicke now w^th you was so strangely handled w^th a sicknesse w^ch shee had, as some thought her husband had eyther bewitched her, or procured as mutch against her by some witch: Thus mutch I am wished to acquaint you w^th, w^ch hath bin often in my Ladyes thoughts since my brothers being w^th her: And although she would not iniure any how meane soever as to harbour any sutch thought carelessly, yett thought fitt you should understand thus mutch: She desires you to conceale this letter, and particularly from M^rs: Quicke the gentlewoman w^th you: my Lord and Ladye most lovingly salute you, and are in hope of a blessing from God Almightye by you to the young Ladyes, my father likewise desires to bee most kindly remembred to you: And so w^th my most affectionate wellwishes and my wifes and my best respects to my dearest Unckle I take my leave and ever rest

Transcribed text from MS Ashmole 1730, f. 251r