| Description | All letters are from Charles Masterman to his wife, Lucy Masterman, nee Lyttelton, unless otherwise stated. Many are undated, but an attempt has been made, on the basis of their content, to place them in chronological order. Topics and people covered in the letters include Charles Masterman's political career and political events, 1907-1927; Charles and Lucy Masterman's literary work; family matters, particularly the Masterman children and family finances; Masterman and Lyttelton relatives; political and literary friends.
Descriptions for CFGM/1/1/1-117 (the period dated 1907-1910) have been enhanced, and a yearly summary can be found below. See also individual catalogue entry for each specific letter (and for all letters in this section CFGM/1/1/1-315).
CFGM/1/1/1-20: (Dated 1907), 1-20 letters grouped together [by Lucy] in wrapper, annotated in her hand, 'before marriage'. At this time Charles was the Liberal Member of Parliament for West Ham North and also writing for the 'Daily News'. His letters to Lucy, living mainly in the family home at 107 Eaton Square, were either written from the House of Commons or from his address in Addington Square, Camberwell, where he was living with Reginald Bray and F.W. Head. During this time he continued his literary career and also gathered information on social reform issues through his work on the Board of Guardians and through the Guild of Play. His letters to Lucy during the early days of their relationship mainly contain his comments and criticism of her poetry which may have been, at first, a mere pretext for keeping in contact with her but his letters soon begin to express his deepening affection for her and their shared confidences.
CFGM/1/1/21-84: (Dated 1908) Charles' letters to Lucy reflect their growing romantic attachment, their engagement, plans for their wedding in June 1908 and then the early months of their marriage. Much of their correspondence focusses on their agonising over their feelings for each other but also Lucy's doubts and questions regarding her faith which Charles attempts to answer in his letters to her. Poetry and in particular Charles' reviews of Lucy's own writings continue to feature regularly in his letters. Their engagement brings Charles into the Lyttelton family circle and this is reflected in the references to other family members and his frequent stays with the family in London or Littlestone. After their marriage they moved into 46 Gillingham Street. 1908 saw Charles more actively engaged in constituency and party politics, notably in support of his friend, Winston Churchill in two by-elections this year. Masterman's own elevation to a ministerial appointment with the Local Government Board in 1908 meant more of his time had to be devoted to political and parliamentary business which is also reflected in his letters to Lucy. However, by Christmas 1908, which they spent apart, Charles starts to express his disillusionment with politics and what he sees as a lack of progress in improving living standards of the poor. Depite the details of day to day activities his letters usually contain certain romantic intimacies, are peppered with Latin phrases to convey personal messages and often end with 'Confidite'.
CFGM/1/1/85-93: (Dated 1909), Political work increased; most letters written from House of Commons during parliamentary debates of government departments and concern parliamentary affairs; June 1909 appointed to Under Secretary at home office.
CFGM/1/1/94-117: (Letters dated 1910): During the winter of 1909-1910 Charles and Lucy created a seaside retreat from an old railway carriage on the beach at Selsy Bill which they nicknamed 'Bungo'. For Charles this was a necessary refuge from the world of politics and London society. Their first child, Margaret Mary was born 4 May and Lucy and the baby spent much of the summer at Selsey while Charles stayed up in London during the week.
CFGM/1/1/118-315: no yearly summary, but see individual catalogue entry for brief information for each letter. |