Econlib

The Library

Other Sites

 Front Page arrow Titles (by Subject) arrow A Letter from Mardyke - The Clarke Papers. Selections from the Papers of William Clarke, vol. 3

Return to Title Page for The Clarke Papers. Selections from the Papers of William Clarke, vol. 3

Search this Title:

Also in the Library:

Subject Area: Political Theory
Subject Area: History
Topic: The English Revolution

A Letter from Mardyke - Sir William Clarke, The Clarke Papers. Selections from the Papers of William Clarke, vol. 3 [1899]

Edition used:

The Clarke Papers. Selections from the Papers of William Clarke, Secretary to the Council of the Army, 1647-1649, and to General Monck and the Commanders of the Army in Scotland, 1651-1660, ed. C.H. Firth (London: Longmans, Green, and Co., 1899). 4 vols.

Part of: The Clarke Papers. Selections from the Papers of William Clarke, 4 vols.

About Liberty Fund:

Liberty Fund, Inc. is a private, educational foundation established to encourage the study of the ideal of a society of free and responsible individuals.


A Letter from Mardyke

November 8, 1657.—

f. 126.I have made bold to dispatch these lines to your Lordshippes hands thereby to impart to your Lordshippe somewhat of our new territories in Flanders, which as yett doe nott exceede the bounds of Mardyck sconce, and though the same bee a place but of a small compass, yet doth our possession thereof put whole Flanders into a great amazement and feare of future events depending thereon. The principall fort of Mardick is but little, and not capable to give accomodation to more than 5 or 600 men, containing not fully halfe an acre of ground within, by reason whereof the forces that can bee quartered in the same are very insufficient for the defence of such a place, that is of soe greate consequence, and cittuated under the dayly prospect of an enemy. Therefore it hath bin thought fitt to renew and make upp againe those ould ruined works, which heretofore had bin made by the French, but demolished againe by the Spaniards, and those works finished will affourd accomodation for 2000 foote and 200 horse, or for more if need bee, for the safty of Mardick sconce doth cheifly consist in the strength and number of men, which upon all occation may be able to keepe of an approaching enemy, which otherwaies in reguard of the cittuation of the sconce might easely bee overcome by a dayes approaches. Although his Highness the Lord Protector is to have by agreement Gravelin, Dunkirke, and Mardick, when ever they shall bee taken; yett is his Highnesse by a later agreement not to accept of Mardick alone without Dunkirke, in reguard whereof his Majesty of France doth take care and is at the charge to maintaine the sconce till Dunkirk bee taken, to which end are sent hether 3 regiments of the French army to contribute their helpe for the securing the sconce. Yet notwithstanding am I made to beare the greatest burden of our work my selfe even beyond my abillities, and I should thinke my selfe happy with it if thereby I might but bee able to give contentment to our Comander in Cheife, who misliketh nothing so much as what is either spoken or done by mee, and though he should doe it to the greate prejudice of the State.

F. H.1

[1 ]Probably should be signed J. H. Its author seems to be an engineer, and Joachim Hane had been sent from Scotland to fortify Mardyke. See p. 120, note 3.