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Women's Epistolary Networks, 1600-1700: Ireland and Beyond

Women and Politics

The Boyle women's letters illustrate how they used their pens to voice their opinions, and to mark their interests and participation in the prevailing happenings of the day.   

Letter from Alice, countess Barrymore to Sir Ralph Verney MP, 26 July 1641. Copyright and courtesy of Claydon House Trust.

Take special note of the materiality of the envelope including the two seals and the way in which the paper was folded many times to afford both protection and a degree of privacy.       

Envelope to letter from Alice, countess Barrymore to Sir Ralph Verney MP, 26 July 1641. Copyright and courtesy of Claydon House Trust.