Althorp Archive, political papers

Acquisition of the bulk of the archive - the political papers, of the Spencer family of Althorp. The papers date from 13th century to 1910, comprising letters and other papers. The earliest material is relevant to the Cliffords, Earls of Northumberland and includes papers of Sir George Savile, fourth Lord Halifax, 'The Trimmer' (1633-95). The archive also contains papers of the first Duchess of Marlborough, and many letters from Queen Anne. Later figures featuring in the collection are, among others, Sir William Hamilton, Sir William Jones and David Garrick. The manorial and estate papers were acquired by Northamptonshire Record Office in 1989, also with an NHMF grant.