Innocent Letters; Hidden Dangers1621-1625: from the letters of Reverend Joseph Mead (Paperback) (ISBN-13: 9798326072047)

1621-1625. Joseph Mead of Christ's College, Cambridge, was an avid news-gatherer in the turbulent time of the later years of King James 1's reign. Nothing it seems was unworthy of his attention. Through a series of his letters many interesting little-known facets of everyday Jacobean existence are brought vividly to life.

Joseph's wide-ranging topical news was disseminated cautiously through a group of his trusted acquaintances.. Danger lay in his inclusion of the discussion of Affairs of State. Such discussion was punishable by imprisonment or even death. Neither he nor the eager network of recipients of his letters were deterred by such threats but pleas for caution are often expressed. The letters are first entrusted to Sir Martin Stuteville, of Dalham in Suffolk.