Reference code: GB-0298-LC/P6
Title: Richard Russell Papers
Dates of creation: 1649-1673
Extent: 2 files
Held by: Ushaw College
Origination: Richard Russell (1630-1693)
Language: Portugese and English
Richard Russell was born in Berkshire in 1630. When he was just 12 years old, he became servant to Dr Edward Daniel, the newly appointed president of Lisbon College. Five years later he was admitted as an alumnus to the college but was ordained
in Douai College in 1653. Following a brief spell as procurator at Lisbon College, he was summoned back to England by the Chapter in 1657, where he spent three years as a chaplain to the Portuguese ambassador. On his return to Portugal he received
the title of Secretary to the Queen, and a pension, in consideration of his services to the crown of Portugal. He played a leading role in negotiating the marriage treaty of Charles II and Catherine of Braganza and was elected a canon of the English
Chapter in 1661. In 1671, he was appointed as Bishop of Portalegre and, 11 years later, was transferred to the diocese of Vizéu. He died in 1693.
Papers of Richard Russell mostly concerning diplomatic relations between England and Portugal during the 1660s and early 1670s. The papers are particularly valuable for shedding light on the negotiations surrounding the marriage of King Charles
II and Catherine of Braganza and the resultant alliance between England and Portugal, which included the provision of English troops and supplies for Portugal's war against Spain, as well as England's acquisition of Tangier and Bombay with the use
of money provided from Catherine's dowry. Other papers include negotiations over the proposed marriage of Madame de Memours and Afonso VI, as well as day-to-day diplomatic affairs. There are also some brief references to Lisbon College.
Lisbon College closed in 1973 and this collection, along with the rest of the Lisbon Archive and Library, was transferred to Ushaw College by Mgr James Sullivan in the following year.
Open for consultation.
Permission to make any published use of material from the collection must be sought in advance from the Lisbonian Society and, where appropriate, from the copyright owner. The Library will assist where possible with identifying copyright owners,
but responsibility for ensuring copyright clearance rests with the user of the material
The papers follow the original arrangement of the collection which is broadly chronological.
The New Style/Old Style dating conventions have been adopted for letters/documents written in England before 1752. The New Style date has been recorded in the main date field, with a note of the Old Style date referred to in the main body of
text.
Calendared card catalogue
M. Sharratt,
“Bishop Russell and John Sergeant”,
Ushaw Magazine, 255 (1979), p.22-37
LC/P6/1 20 August 1649
Deed of ownership by Humphrey Aldrington (merchant) of goods and merchandise in Lisbon previously belonging to his three children (Humphrey, Alice and Matthias)
Authentication of Aldrington's accounts by John Emans (notary)
Old Style: 1 August 1649
2f
LC/P6/2 22 April 1656
Language: Portuguese
[?Declaration] by Araujo that he is a canon of Oporto
4f
LC/P6/3 15 June 1660
Language: Portuguese
Copy of a letter from King Afonso VI to King Charles II: congratulations on Charles's restoration, hopes that good relations between the two countries will continue, Francisco de Mello as the extraordinary ambassador
The original was signed by the Queen [Luisa]
2f
LC/P6/4 [?6 May 1661]
Language: Spanish
Letter from King Charles II to the Queen Regent [Luisa of Medina-Sidonia]: asking for Catherine of Braganza's hand in marriage, wanting the proposal to be kept secret, requiring a speedy and categorical reply, and praising Francisco de Mello
(later the marques de Sande) in his role as extraordinary ambassador
At this stage only de Mello and Russell (de Mello's secretary) are privy to the marriage proposal
Copy or draft in Russell's hand
2f
Prestage, Edgar,
The diplomatic relations of Portugal with France, England, and Holland from 1640 to 1668, p.146
Lisbonian, July 1934, p.16
LC/P6/5 5 September 1661
Language: Portuguese
Letter from [Queen Luisa of Medina-Sidonia] to Richard Russell: instructions to Russell about ratification of treaty signed by the queen
Addressed to the bishop-elect of Cabo Verde
2f
LC/P6/6 14 May 1661
Language: Spanish
Letter from King Charles II to [Catherine of Braganza] of Portugal (copy): confirming that he has announced his forthcoming marriage to the Council who are very pleased and the whole world will know in a few days
2f
LC/P6/7 29 September 1661
Language: Portuguese
Letter from [Catherine of Braganza) to Richard Russell: [?Lord Sandwich] reaching the Tagus and his reception there, and giving Russell instructions
Signed by the queen
2f
LC/P6/8 [?November 1661]
Letter from [Irish Lords] to the queen [Catherine]: the duke of Ormonde's appointment in Ireland
Ormonde was appointed Lord Lieutenant in November 1661
2f
LC/P6/9 [April/May 1662]
Language: Portuguese
List (in Catherine's hand) of the queen's household as they were to be quartered at Portsmouth
2f
LC/P6/10 24 July 1662
Language: Portuguese
Letter from William Russell to Jorge Nevil: arrangements for paying 150 milreis to him
2f
LC/P6/11 29 September 1662
Letter from Francisco de Merlo e Torres, conde da Ponte (marques de Sande) to King Charles II: complaining about the breach of article 11 of a 1654 treaty concerning four English ships which had taken Brazil wood direct to England
Draft in Russell's hand and endorsed by him as a memorial given to the king by the ambassador
Old Style: 19 September 1662
4f
LC/P6/12 8 October 1662
Language: Portuguese
Letter from King Afonso VI to King Charles II (copy): military aid from Charles for Portugal including suggesting the invasion of Spain, financial aid (to pay English soldiers), sending more ships to threaten Spanish ports, recommending a
declaration of offensive and defensive war
2f
LC/P6/13 12 October 1662
Language: Portuguese
Letter from the Queen Mother [Luisa] to Richard Russell: replying to a previous letter from Russell (concerning the good state of Portuguese affairs at the English court) referring to her liberation from the yoke of the regency and thanking
Russell for his advice on the subject
Signed by the queen
2f
LC/P6/14 17 January 1663
Language: Portuguese
Letter from the marques de Sande (extraordinary ambassador) to King Charles II: the dispute over the English ships and questioning Agostino Coronel's right to interpret the 1654 treaty
Signed by de Sande
Old Style: 7 January 1663
2f
LC/P6/15 [?May 1663]
Language: Portuguese
Letter from Duarte de Silva to [?Sande or Richard Russell]
A Duarte de Sylva is listed by Catherine of Braganza as the son of “o Thezoureiro del Rey de Portugal” [see LC/P6/9]
2f
LC/P6/16 10 July 1663
Articles of high treason against the earl of Clarendon by the earl of Bristol
4f
LC/P6/17 28 July 1663
Language: Portuguese
Letter from the chapter of canons of [?] to Richard Russell: seeking money for church repairs
Signed by four canons
2f
LC/P6/18 3 November 1663
Language: Portuguese
Letter from King Afonso VI to the marques de Sande, extraordinary ambassador in England: the case of William Fines, captain of a ship in the English fleet, who is seeking reimbursement because of the action of the Portuguese Grand Admiral [?the
duke of Hore]
Signed by the king and ambassador
2f
LC/P6/19 11 April 1664
Authenticated copy of an indenture by William Legg Lewton (general of ordnance) of arms sent via Russell to Portugal for the use of Charles's forces employed in the service of the Portuguese king
Old Style: 1 April 1664
1f
LC/P6/20 11 [?June] 1664
Language: Portuguese
Letter from King Afonso VI to Richard Russell: thanking him for obtaining the military aid sent by Charles II
Signed by the king and Castelmelhor
2f
LC/P6/21 July 1664
Language: Portuguese
Letter from King Afonso VI to [?his embassy in London]: opinion on naval prizes and reprisals
3f
LC/P6/22 12 July 1664
Language: Portuguese
Letter from King Afonso VI to Richard Russell: Francisco Ferreira Rebello has informed the king of the state of negotiations about Bombay and the king is very pleased with what Russell has achieved, he has ordered Ferreira Rebello to make use of
Russell's help (the king has every confidence in him)
Signed by the king and Castelmelhor
2f
LC/P6/23 12 July 1664
Language: Portuguese
Letter from King Afonso VI to Richard Russell: a prize taken by Portuguese warships explaining Portuguese policy in these matters
Signed by the king and Castelmelhor
2f
LC/P6/24 16 July 1664
Language: Portuguese
Letter from King Afonso VI to King Charles II: Russell planning to explain the ship dispute, his intention is to observe the Anglo-Portuguese treaty religiously
This letter is damaged
1f
LC/P6/25 2 August 1664
Language: Portuguese
Letter from the conde de Castelmelhor to the conde de Schomberg (copy): the relation of the foreign troops to the Portuguese army and the Portuguese supreme command
2f
LC/P6/26 7 September 1664
Language: Portuguese
Letter from Antonio de Sousa de Macedo to Richard Russell: enclosing news of Portuguese successes, and mentioning a complaint of Colonel Bellasis that he has not been well received
Signed by de Macedo
2f
LC/P6/27 29 September 1664
Language: Portuguese
Letter from the conde de Castelmelhor to the conde de Schomberg: [?arrangements about military command]
2f
LC/P6/28 2 October 1664
Language: Portuguese
Letter from the conde de Castelmelhor to conde de Schomberg: arrangements about military command
4f
LC/P6/29 8 October 1664
Language: Portuguese
Letter from Antonio de Sousa de Macedo to Richard Russell: dealings with Schomberg about military command
4f
LC/P6/30 16 October 1664
Language: Portuguese
Letter from the conde de Castelmelhor to Richard Russell: English troops in Portugal
3f
LC/P6/31 9 October 1665
Language: Portuguese
Letter from King Afonso VI to the marques de Sande (copy): complaining about the character and attitude of the English consul in Lisbon (Thomas Maynard), a reference to the secretary (Henry Bennett) whom he expects to be well-disposed to
Portugal, his wish for the replacement of the consul
Signed by the king and Castelmelhor
1f
LC/P6/32 9 October 1665
Language: Portuguese
Letter from King Afonso VI to Richard Russell: content the same as (LC/P6/31)
Signed by the king and Castelmelhor
2f
LC/P6/33 [?9 October 1665]
Language: Portuguese
Letter from King Afonso VI to King Charles II (copy): complaining about the action of Consul Maynard and asking for him to be replaced
1f
LC/P6/34 10 October 1665
Language: Portuguese
Letter from King Afonso VI to Richard Russell: advice for Sande to go straight to France to arrange the king's marriage owing to the plague in England, the appointment of Dom Francisco de Mello (Mancel de Camara) to treat with Charles, and
ordering Russell to go to France with Sande
Signed by the king and Castelmelhor
6f
LC/P6/35 [?1665]
Language: Portuguese
Letter from King Afonso VI to the marques de Sande (copy): possible alliances open to Portugal, the restoration of Conhin and Cananor, marriage of infants, disputes about ships, Catherine's dowry, Spanish prisoners, English merchants, English
troops, Bombay, the plague
This letter is described as above but cannot be located, 10 December 2012
LC/P6/36 22 October 1665
Letter from the marques de Sande (at Paris) to King Charles II: negotiations connected with the proposed marriage of Madame de Memours and King Afonso VI, and asking the king's advice on whether he (de Sande) should return to England or await
further instructions
Russell's copy/translation
2f
LC/P6/37 11 December 1665
[Coded letter] from King Afonso VI to Richard Russell: negotiations about Bombay
Signed by the king and Castelmelhor
The card catalogue states that there is a decoded message inside although this cannot be located
2f
LC/P6/38 1665
Letter from John Sergeant to Richard Russell: reassuring Clarendon (via Russell) that Sergeant's
Sure-footing in Christianity is not subversive of the State
2f
Printed in
Ushaw Magazine, June 1979, pp. 25-27
LC/P6/39 20 January 1666
Language: French
King Louis XIV providing a safe-conduct for Richard Russell
Signed by the king
2f
LC/P6/40 3 March 1666
Language: Portugal
Letter from the marques de Sande (at Paris) to Richard Russell (at London): complaining of Russell's lack of contact since leaving Paris, query of F. de Mello about Bombay, wondering whether the queen still dislikes him, treaty to be signed on 24
February, his plan to go to La Rochelle (for the king's marriage), and a list of Russell's expenses
Signed by Sande
2f
LC/P6/41 12 May 1666
Language: Portuguese
Letter from the marques de Sande to [?]: explaining Portuguese policy in the recent changes of alignment among European nations
2f
LC/P6/42 8 July 1666
Language: Portuguese
Letter from the conde de Castelmelhom to Richard Russell: the victory of Great Britain over the Dutch, Portugese preparations to meet the threat of a Spanish fleet
2f
LC/P6/43 20 August 1666
Letter from Jeronimo Nunez da Costa (Amsterdam) to Richard Russell: passports needed for ships at Hamburg
2f
LC/P6/44 22 September 1667
Language: Portuguese
Letter from King Afonso VI to Richard Russell: his relations with the Infante, his brother, and Castelmelhor's dismissal
Signed by the king
Includes a further copy
2f/1f
LC/P6/45 1 October 1667
Language: Portuguese
Letter from King Afonso VI to Richard Russell: thanking him for his letter and his account of his work
Signed by the Infante
2f
LC/P6/46 5 December 1667
Letter from King Affonso VI/Infante to Richard Russell: announcing the succession of Infante, and Dom Pedro
Signed by the Infante
2f
LC/P6/47 10 December 1667
Letter from the Infante to Richard Russell: recounting the assassination of the marques de Sande on 7 December 1667
Signed by the Infante
2f
LC/P6/48 7 August 1668
Language: Portuguese
Letter from the Principe to Richard Russell: thanking him for his letters offering congratulations on his marriage and his taking over the government of the kingdom
2f
LC/P6/49 11 May 1670
Language: Portuguese
Letter from King Charles II to Edward Blackwell: the extraordinary embassy of Robert Southwell to Dom Pedro concerning the rest of Catherine de Braganza's dowry and making Blackwell his procurator
Copy of authenticated translation. The oath authenticating the translation was taken in the college
Original was signed by Charles and Arlington
1f
LC/P6/50 22 September 1670
Language: Portuguese
Edward Blackwell making Edmund Corbett his delegate in Portugal
Authenticated copy and draft
Samuel John Wright, notary in London, records Blackwell's delegation of proxy in matters relating to dowry to Corbett
Confirmation by the Portuguese agent in London
Confirmation of the notary's position by English merchants
Old Style: 12 September 1670
3f
LC/P6/51 8 June 1671
Language: Latin
Letter from Richard Russell to the nuncio (Francisco Ravizza): a report on Lisbon College to be sent to Rome
2 signed copies and typed transcript
8f/8p
Old Catalogue Number 329
LC/P6/52 18 October 1673
Language: Portuguese
Letter from Richard Russell to Archbishop [?]: appeal for support in his conflict with João de Almeijda
This letter is damaged
1f
LC/P6/53 [?1660]
Language: Portuguese
Letter from the president of Lisbon College to King Afonso VI: petition about Theatines who wanted to build near the college
Copy or draft
1f
LC/P6/54 [1660 x 1669]
Motives for peace and commerce with Portugal
8f
LC/P6/55 [1660 x 1669]
Language: Portuguese
Account of fighting between the Portuguese and Spanish
2f
