Dear Edmund:

I have secret but sure hints Drs Beale, Martin, and Sterne, following our conversation yesterday, have let it be known to the Scholars that it’s the first part of a Christian’s duty to gird himself with sword for his King, and the University would smile on service undertaken to this end.

I propose, then, we pay call on the Castle at Cambridge, and secure its store of arms and powder against any malignant undertaking. Please ride with all haste and join us at King’s.

Next, I wish to ride to Holyfen village, and there beat the drum for volunteers. The malignants, as is known, have cached great stores of arms about the countryside, not least at the palace of Bishop Wren in Downham, near Ely; more men, particularly honest and sober men, will make the securing of same far simpler.

Your friend,

Oliver Cromwell, King's College, Cambridge

To: Edmund Holyfen, at Mrs Holyfen's, the High Street, Huntingdon