3-057-460 - Heritage Art/Heritage Images

Letter written by Sir Robert Walpole, c1720s. This letter from Walpole was written to his associate Thomas Pelham-Holles, 1st Duke of Newcastle. [Cranford?], Saturday 13 [illegible] 'My Dear Lord, Yr messenger gave me Yr letter in the feild a hunting, wch indeed I did not vouchsafe to open till I came home. That any man could think Politicks should take place wth a hare a foot! This is to ask yr. pardon & to lett you know, we dine to morrow [with?] Bride & Bridegroom etc. at Hampton Court in [illegible]. The conversation may possibly be entertaining, besides a little guidance may be gott before dinner. If you'l come thither, I shall be glad to meet you, if not [illegible] you'l dine w. me at Chelsea on Monday, or if you'l be very good, make me happy w. both. I had a Packett of consequence late last night from Hanover &c [illegible] Bring Wattkins to wait in the outward Room'. The 'Bride & Bridegroom' he refers to may possibly have been William IV, Prince of Orange, and Anne, Princess consort of Orange, who were married in 1734. Walpole took part in the marriage procession. Walpole dominated British politics between 1721 and 1742 and is considered to have been Britain's first prime minister.