Henry

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Henrys letter to Anne

• Can you prove its a love letter?
• 14 clues to spot.

2
Henrys love letters

• Henry wrote lots of love letters to Anne. They
  look like this one, discovered only last year.
  Its far too hard to read like this. Even the
  translation is hard, but I think if we work
  together we can crack it.

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The drawing near of that time which has for me
been so long deferred, so much rejoiceth me that
it is as if it already come. Nevertheless, the
perfect accomplishing thereof cannot be until the
two persons are together met, the which meeting
is on my part the more desired than any earthly
thing for what joy in this world can be greater
than to have the company of her who is the most
dearly loved, knowing likewise that she by her
choice holds the same, the thought of which
greatly delights me. Judge, therefore, what that
very person shall do, whose absence hath so
aggrieved my heart that neither tongue nor pen
can express the hurt, which no other thing
excepting that can ever cure. Praying you, my
mistress , to say to my lord your father on my
part that I beg of him to hasten by two days the
time appointed, or that he may be at court before
his former promise or at least, on the day
already agreed. For otherwise I shall think he
will not serve a lovers return, as was his
promise, nor will not allow of mine
expectation. No more at present, for lack of
time, trusting soon to tell you by word of mouth
the residue of my sufferings, that I by your
absence have sustained. Written with the hand of
that secretary who wishes himself at this time
private with you, and who is and ever will
be Your loyal and most assured servant, H. autre
ne cherce R. H. no other seeks Rex)
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AB
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• The drawing near of that time which has for
  me been so long deferred, so much rejoiceth me
  that it is as if it already come. Nevertheless,
  the perfect accomplishing thereof cannot be until
  the two persons are together met, the which
  meeting is on my part the more desired than any
  earthly thing for what joy in this world
  can be greater than to have the company of her
  who is the most dearly loved , knowing
  likewise that she by her choice holds the same
  the thought of which greatly delights me .

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• Judge, therefore, what that very person shall do,
  whose absence hath so aggrieved my heart
  that neither tongue nor pen can express the hurt,
  which no other thing excepting that can ever
  cure. Praying you, my mistress , to say to my
  lord your father on my part that I beg of him to
  hasten by two days the time appointed , or
  that he may be at court before his former promise
  or at least, on the day already agreed. For
  otherwise I shall think he will not serve a
  lovers return , as was his promise, nor
  will not allow of mine expectation.

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• No more at present, for lack of time, trusting
  soon to tell you by word of mouth the residue of
  my sufferings, that I by your absence have
  sustained . Written with the hand of that
  secretary who wishes himself at this time private
  with you , and who is and ever will be
• Your loyal and most assured servant,
• H. autre ne cherce R.
• H. no other seeks Rex ()

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