Description

Gwyn (Eleanor [Nell], actress and royal mistress, 1651?-87).- Receipt issued in the name of "Ellen Gwin" by her steward Thomas Groundes, D.s. "I say recd by me Samuell Horwood", manuscript, 7 lines, cut down from a larger sheet, 2 corners torn not affecting text, small hole between lines, laid down and tipped-in on card, browned, 115 x 189mm., 9th March 1674/5.

⁂ "March 9th 1674/5 Recd. then of Madam Ellen Gwin at ye hands of Tho: Groundes the sum of seaven poundes eight shillings & six pence in full for 10. thousand of Beere Billes this day delivered at mads Gwins house for ye use of my father Christopher Trusse, I say recd. by me Samuell ?Horwood."

There is some question as to whether this document has been issued in the name of Nell Gwyn, or her mother Helena, who died by drowning in a ditch in 1679. Both mother and daughter's names were spelled in a variety of ways so this is no guide to it's ownership. However, Nell Gwyn's steward was Thomas Groundes, the issuer of the above document, and furthermore it closely follows the known format of the receipts he issued: "Thomas Groundes, her faithful steward, took care of the household routine and saw to it that the larder and cellar were stocked, the horses groomed, and the house kept in repair. He scrutinized all bills for services and supplies, objecting to excessive charges, and sometimes refusing to pay until a bill was reduced. He was careful to have every tradesman sign a receipt according to a conventional formula: 'Received then of Madam Ellen Gwyn at the hands of Thomas Groundes the sum of in payment of this bill and all other demands to date.' Sometimes when Groundes (because of Nell's extravagance) was short of cash, he had to stall on a creditor with a payment 'on account'." - Nell Gwyn, Royal Mistress, by John Harold Wilson, 1952.

Lot 140

Gwyn (Nell) Receipt issued in the name of "Ellen Gwin" by her steward Thomas Groundes, D.s. "Samuell Horwood", manuscript, 7 lines, cut down from a larger sheet, 2 corners torn not affecting text, small hole between lines, laid down and tipped-in on card, browned, 115 x 189mm., 9th March 1674/5.  

Estimate: £400 - 600

Description

Gwyn (Eleanor [Nell], actress and royal mistress, 1651?-87).- Receipt issued in the name of "Ellen Gwin" by her steward Thomas Groundes, D.s. "I say recd by me Samuell Horwood", manuscript, 7 lines, cut down from a larger sheet, 2 corners torn not affecting text, small hole between lines, laid down and tipped-in on card, browned, 115 x 189mm., 9th March 1674/5.

⁂ "March 9th 1674/5 Recd. then of Madam Ellen Gwin at ye hands of Tho: Groundes the sum of seaven poundes eight shillings & six pence in full for 10. thousand of Beere Billes this day delivered at mads Gwins house for ye use of my father Christopher Trusse, I say recd. by me Samuell ?Horwood."

There is some question as to whether this document has been issued in the name of Nell Gwyn, or her mother Helena, who died by drowning in a ditch in 1679. Both mother and daughter's names were spelled in a variety of ways so this is no guide to it's ownership. However, Nell Gwyn's steward was Thomas Groundes, the issuer of the above document, and furthermore it closely follows the known format of the receipts he issued: "Thomas Groundes, her faithful steward, took care of the household routine and saw to it that the larder and cellar were stocked, the horses groomed, and the house kept in repair. He scrutinized all bills for services and supplies, objecting to excessive charges, and sometimes refusing to pay until a bill was reduced. He was careful to have every tradesman sign a receipt according to a conventional formula: 'Received then of Madam Ellen Gwyn at the hands of Thomas Groundes the sum of in payment of this bill and all other demands to date.' Sometimes when Groundes (because of Nell's extravagance) was short of cash, he had to stall on a creditor with a payment 'on account'." - Nell Gwyn, Royal Mistress, by John Harold Wilson, 1952.

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