[Mid] Love Letters To Queen Elizabeth I Sold

Love Letters To Queen Elizabeth I Sold

                    LONDON (Reuters) - Love letters sent by the doomed Earl
of Essex to Queen Elizabeth I were sold by Phillips auctioneers in London
Friday for 166,500 pounds ($268,000).

                    The letters, which document one of history's most
complex love affairs, were sold to a London dealer acting on behalf of a
British institution, Phillips said in a statement.

                    The collection of 43 letters, which date from 1591
onward, document the bizarre relationship between the earl and the Virgin
Queen, from his arrival in court to his fall from grace, rebellion and
execution. But despite Elizabeth-mania, inspired by recent period films
such as ``Shakespeare in Love'' and ''Elizabeth,'' the letters failed to
reach their estimate of 200,000 pounds ($322,000).

                    Robert Devereux, the second Earl of Essex, was a jaunty
young man when he joined Elizabeth's court. He swiftly became her favorite
but, despite the passion revealed in the letters, doubts remain over
whether the two ever became lovers.

                    The earl eventually fell from favor and launched a
half-hearted rebellion. He was tried and beheaded in 1601.
-
~ Aine inghean Cillin ~
                   
"Tumultus Antepono Infamia"
Vert, an angels wing Or, a bordure argent semy of shamrocks vert
http://www.auborneoaks.com

Protege to Baron Sir Coley Cuthbert
Member, House of the Red Winged Lion

From: Aine inghean Cillin <aine@auborneoaks.com>
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Received on Wed Jun 16 09:28:34 1999