NOTES ON THE HENSLOWE LETTERS:

 

JAN 11 1925    

Request for corroborating evidence.  Henslowe has sought help from a dr.

JUNE 16 1926   

Further request for same.  Specifies has not revealed location.

JULY 6 1927   

First mention of deaths: “Tell me they didn’t die for nothing.”
And presumably a second group – the enemy – “Tell me they didn’t get away with it!”

FEB 19 1929   

More detail: “I just keep asking myself that if they’d followed me out of there, they’d still be alive.  Why didn’t I make them?  Why didn’t they just follow me?”

SEPT 27 1930   

Henslowe has begun taking medication (unclear how far back).

OCT 13TH 1931   

Refers to “that night” – no date yet mentioned, merely August 1924.

MARCH 13 1933   

Henslowe has found some peace, but still haunted by dreams.

MAY 25 1933   

Refers to “… the carved names driven deep onto the headstones of my distant family.”  Unclear whether this is literal or figurative.  Claims he will write no more.

AUG 9 1933   

Has written and hidden a journal (presumably with details of the incident, and possibly what leads up to it).  Will gladly share the location with Mr Winston.

FEB 1  1934   

Similar plea as letters 1 and 2 for confirmation, but for himself not doctors.

APR 14 1934   

Is it possible none of it was real? 

SEPT 29 1934   

Reiterates “Did they die for nothing?”  Questions Mr Winston’s memory of the event, possible abandonment of the friendship, and pleas for any answer.  (Mr Winston passed in July 1934, the date of this letter indicating Mr Henslowe is unaware.)