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"The enemies of Marriage" and "The true lovers knot" (Hardwick MS 68)

Catalogue reference: HMS/4/31

What’s it about?

This record is a file about the "The enemies of Marriage" and "The true lovers knot" (Hardwick MS 68) dating from n.d. [16th-17th century].

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Full description and record details

Reference
HMS/4/31
Title
"The enemies of Marriage" and "The true lovers knot" (Hardwick MS 68)
Date
n.d. [16th-17th century]
Description

This seemingly unique handwritten manuscript of two treatises on marriage is dedicated "in remembrance of the happy marriage of the honourable Mr William Cavendish". The treatises contain advice for husbands and wives on all subjects relating to marriage.

There is a table of contents (folios 55-57) at the back of the manuscript and marginal notes throughout the main text indicating subjects of the text. The handwriting of the main text is the same throughout. However the dedication and table of contents may be in a different more amateur hand given the way the letters are formed.

On the cover is a later addition to the book, the name "Mary Whildon" is written [possibly widow of James Whildon junior]. The cover and the first folio contain notes in Mary Whildon's hand, largely a prayer to God to support her since the death of a father and also a note on the true lovers knot treatise: "There would not be so many bad husbands and wives as there is if they followed the good counsel that is in this book".

Folios 58-65 are blank.

Held by
Devonshire Collection Archives, Chatsworth
Former department reference
HM/68
Physical description
1 volume; 65 folios (130pp)
Dimensions
153(w) x 220(h) x 20(d) mm
Physical condition
Vellum-bound book, with fabric ties (now almost completely lost)
Record URL
https://beta.nationalarchives.gov.uk/catalogue/id/aea82a50-7e3a-42fa-bbef-13342833e028/

Series information

HMS/4

Manuscripts

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9,906 records
157 records

Within the fonds: HMS

Hardwick Manuscripts

42 records

Within the series: HMS/4

Manuscripts

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"The enemies of Marriage" and "The true lovers knot" (Hardwick MS 68)