[MR] BBC: Henry VIII Letter Sells for £20,000

[Garth Groff and Sally Sanford]

Noble Friends,

According to a BBC story, a letter written by Henry VIII has sold at
auction by Christie's for £20,000.

The letter is mundane correspondence, but tells an interesting story. It is
addressed to the commanders of the garrison at the Yorkshire town of Hull,
ordering them to employ a gunner and his assistant at the princely wages of
8 and 4 pence a day (8 pence was pretty good pay; even 4 pence was above
what most soldiers earned). It seems Henry was beefing up his forces in
Hull for a planned campaign against Scotland.

The actual letter, a view of a recent dig at the Hull forts, and a facial
shot of the rather puffy King, go here:
https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-humber-46536792 .

A 17th century map of Hull showing the forts discussed in the BBC story can
be viewed at
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Port_of_Hull#/media/File:Wenceslas_Hollar_-_Hull.jpg
.

Yours Aye,

Mungo Napier, Laird of Mallard Lodge  🦆