Invitation to Mrs [Clara] Jerome and her daughters to meet Albert Edward, Prince of Wales and Alexandra, Princess of Wales on H M S Ariadne annotated "Randolph".

Letter from [Lord] Randolph Churchill (Marine Hotel [Cowes, Isle of Wight]) to Jeannette [Jennie Jerome, later Lady Randolph Churchill] saying that he has missed his boat, thanking her for the photograph, and adding "you see I keep turning up like a bad shilling".

Letter from [Lord] Randolph [Churchill] (Steamboat) to "Jeannette" [Jennie Jerome, later Lady Randolph Churchill] discussing her mother's [Clara Jerome's] opinion of their engagement. He says that he hopes that they will meet in London soon and adds "your photograph &your dear little pin will keep you every minute, in my memory". Envelope present.

Letter from Lord Randolph Churchill (Blenheim Palace) to "Jeannette" [Jennie Jerome, later Lady Randolph Churchill] enclosing photographs of his family [not present], saying how painful he found leaving her, that he hopes her father [Leonard Jerome] will not object [to their engagement], and that [Albert Edward] Prince [of Wales] has spoken of how much he enjoyed meeting her.

Letter from Lord Randolph Churchill to [Jennie Jerome, later Lady Randolph Churchill] saying that he wonders why he has not received a reply from her; that he has written to [John, 7th Duke of Marlborough] telling him that he wants to marry her and will come to Cowes [Isle of Wight] when he has received a reply. He writes of his worry that she will be influenced by others' bad opinions of him and includes a poem about love.

Letter from Lord Randolph Churchill (St James' Club, Piccadilly [London]) to [Jennie Jerome, later Lady Randolph Churchill] in which he says that he is "much too low at being away from you" to go to a play with the Standishes; that he hopes that her father [Lenard Jerome] will agree [to their engagement]; and that he wears a locket containing her photograph and hair.

Letter from Lord Randolph Churchill (Blenheim Palace) to "Jeannette" [Jennie Jerome, later Lady Randolph Churchill] in which he suggests that she should persuade her mother [Clara Jerome] to let her write to him more often; that Albert Edward, Prince of Wales and Alexandra, Princess of Wales have spoken of how much they liked her; and that he is waiting for her father's [Leonard Jerome] response [concerning their proposed engagement].

Letter from Lord Randolph Churchill (Blenheim Palace) to "Jeannette" [Jennie Jerome, later Lady Randolph Churchill] in which he says that he will not be able to come to Cowes [Isle of Wight] until her father's [Leonard Jerome's] answer [concerning their engagement] has arrived. He speaks of his feelings for her which he thinks would be described as "quite out of date in this practical 19th century" and adds that the pug is in "small health".

Letter from Lord Randolph Churchill (Blenheim Palace) to "Jeannette" [Jennie Jerome, later Lady Randolph Churchill] concerning arrangements to meet her [in London] with her mother's [Clara Jerome's] permission. He comments that their one-sided correspondence is "disheartening" and on the long wait for her father's [Leonard Jerome's] response [concerning their engagement].

Letter from Lord Randolph Churchill (Blenheim Palace) to "Jeannette" [Jennie Jerome, later Lady Randolph Churchill] in which he says that he is looking forward to seeing her in London. He describes his pain at her not being allowed to write to him; informs her that his parents [John, 7th Duke of Marlborough and Frances, Duchess of Marlborough] have consented to their engagement; and speculates on her father's [Leonard Jerome's] response.

Letter from Lord Randolph Churchill (Blenheim Palace) to "Jeannette" [Jennie Jerome, later Lady Randolph Churchill] in which he describes a party at Blenheim for an agricultural dinner; refers to the bracelet which he has given to her as "binding you to me irrevocably"; and describes his happiness that her mother [Clara Jerome] has agreed to let her write to him.

Letter from Lord Randolph Churchill (Blenheim Palace) to "Jeannette" [Jennie Jerome, later Lady Randolph Churchill] replying to a letter from her which has hurt him by suggesting that he has changed since [they met at] Cowes [Isle of Wight]. He says that he was mistaken in her; that he presumes that she viewed their affair only as amusement at Cowes; includes a short poem; and asks her to reassure him that she did not mean what she wrote.

Letter from Lord Randolph Churchill (Blenheim Palace) to "Jeannette" [Jennie Jerome, later Lady Randolph Churchill] apologising for his "cross" letter and saying that he is sure that she does love him. He urges her to re-read his letters to her if she doubts him as "no gentleman c[ou]ld write as I have done to you". He describes his initial doubts over his parents' opposition [John, 7th Duke of Marlborough and Frances, Duchess of Marlborough] to their marriage to which his father has informally consented.

Letter from Lord Randolph Churchill (Blenheim Palace) to "Jeannette" [Jennie Jerome, later Lady Randolph Churchill] enclosing newspaper cuttings [not present] of his speeches. He speculates on a future dissolution of parliament; discusses his election prospects at Woodstock [Oxfordshire]; and says that he will come to Paris [France] when he has news of her father's [Leonard Jerome's] formal response [concerning their engagement]. The letter is dated "Saturday 19th" and internal evidence suggests that it was written in September, although the 19th of September fell on a Friday in 1873.

Letter from Lord Randolph Churchill (Blenheim Palace) to "Jeannette" [Jennie Jerome, later Lady Randolph Churchill] thanking her for her reassuring letter and reporting on the poor health of the pug.

Letter from Lord Randolph Churchill (Blenheim Palace) to "Jeannette" [Jennie Jerome, later Lady Randolph Churchill] in which he says that he might answer her questions when they are married and that he has decided not to write to her father [Leonard Jerome] until he knows whether the latter approves of him.

Part of a letter from Lord Randolph Churchill (Blenheim Palace) to "Jeannette" [Jennie Jerome, later Lady Randolph Churchill] thanking her for her letters to him. It includes: the fact that they have "no cause now to despond" [about their engagement]; his intention to give up smoking; his choice of reading matter (he reads Gibbon when cross or angry, and Horace when "low"); a recommendation that she read great works on history as "novels or even travels are rather unsatisfactory and do one no good"; his electoral prospects if there is a dissolution of parliament and the lack of appeal of a public life CHAR 28/2/40 is filed after CHAR 28/2/41.

Letter from Lord Randolph Churchill (Blenheim Palace) to "Jeannette" [Jennie Jerome, later Lady Randolph Churchill] including: the pleasure created by her letters and agreement with her opinion about "my being one moment vy despairing &another moment vy sanguine"; his father's [John, 7th Duke of Marlborough's] insistence that they should wait for a year before marrying which he will oppose; and his conviction that his parents' desire to see him member of parliament for Woodstock [Oxfordshire] and their fear that a radical may get the seat gives him power over them "if I am crossed I can plot &intrigue like a second Machiavelli".

Letter from Lord Randolph Churchill (Blenheim Palace) to "Jeannette" [Jennie Jerome, later Lady Randolph Churchill] including: his father's [John, 7th Duke of Marlborough's] displeasure over his letter [in which Randolph stated that he would refuse to wait for a year before marrying her]; the incessant friction [at Blenheim Palace] and the ill health of the pug. He asks her to write and describe her life in Paris [France].

Letter from Lord Randolph Churchill (Blenheim Palace) to "Jeannette" [Jerome, later Lady Randolph Churchill] including: his father's [John, 7th Duke of Marlborough's] insistence that they should wait a year before they get married and hopes for Randolph's parliamentary career; speculations on a future dissolution of parliament; and his intention to tell his father that "his beastly old borough [Woodstock, Oxfordshire] can go to the devil".

Letter from Lord Randolph Churchill (Blenheim Palace) to "Jeannette" [Jennie Jerome, later Lady Randolph Churchill] including a report of an interview with his father [John, 7th Duke of Marlborough] in which his father had stipulated that they must provide proof of their feelings by waiting before marrying, and the news that his pet pug dog has died.

Letter from Lord Randolph Churchill (Blenheim Palace) to "Jeannette" [Jennie Jerome, later Lady Randolph Churchill] in which he urges her to write and inform him of her father's [Leonard Jerome's] response [concerning their engagement] and discusses a large party at Blenheim, which Albert Edward, Prince of Wales will attend.

Letter from Lord Randolph Churchill (Blenheim Palace) to "Jeannette" [Jennie Jerome, later Lady Randolph Churchill] in which he describes his journey away from Cowes [Isle of Wight], and promises to write to her mother [Clara Jerome] concerning his "position, prospects &means".

Letter from Lord Randolph Churchill (Blenheim Palace) to "Jeannette" [Jennie Jerome, later Lady Randolph Churchill] including: his future journey to Paris [France] to see her; his joy at her father's [Leonard Jerome's] consent to their marriage; his duties as a magistrate at Woodstock [Oxfordshire]; Albert Edward, Prince of Wales' interest in them and Randolph's future visit to Paris.

Letter from Lord Randolph Churchill (Blenheim Palace) to [Jennie Jerome, later Lady Randolph Churchill] in which he reproaches her for not writing to him.

Letter from Lord Randolph Churchill (10 St James' Square [London]) to [Jennie Jerome, later Lady Randolph Churchill] concerning his return from Paris [France]; his pleasure at the locket which she gave him; and a family party to be held at Blenheim Palace.

Letter from Lord Randolph Churchill (Blenheim Palace) to [Jennie Jerome, later Lady Randolph Churchill] including: his disappointment at not having received a letter from her; a meeting with Frank [Francis] Bertie in London; and an insult from Mr [?] Cust who had said that Randolph "always walked about with a pug who was exactly like me except he was black &I was white".

Letter from Lord Randolph Churchill (Blenheim Palace) to "Jeannette" [Jennie Jerome, later Lady Randolph Churchill) including: his journey back from Paris [France]; his intention not to hunt that year and request that she should not go to Pau [France] to hunt.

Letter from Lord Randolph Churchill (Blenheim Palace) to Jennie [Jerome, later Lady Randolph Churchill) including: his duties as a magistrate; the indefinite postponement of a dissolution [of parliament] and his electoral prospects; and his visit to Lord and Lady Portarlington at Eastbourne [Sussex].

Letter from Lord Randolph Churchill (Blenheim Palace) to Jennie [Jerome, later Lady Randolph Churchill) including: the breaking off a friendship between Clara [Jerome, later Frewen] and Madame [Helen von] Hatzfeldt; the arrival of a "2nd man" [in Paris] who could not come between them; the possible retirement of the member of parliament [Henry Barnett] for Woodstock [Oxfordshire] and Randolph's electoral prospects in the absence of agitation among the labourers.

Letter from Lord Randolph Churchill (Blenheim Palace) to Jennie [Jerome, later Lady Randolph Churchill) including: his disappointment at not receiving a letter from her; newspaper reports at a "radical communistic oration" by John Blight; and a request that she relays any political gossip that she hears in Paris.

Letter from Lord Randolph Churchill (Blenheim Palace) to Jennie [Jerome, later Lady Randolph Churchill) including: his future journey to Eastbourne [East Sussex]; the possibility that [Henry] Barnett [member of parliament for Woodstock, Oxfordshire] will resign and his doubts about the result of the election "it is impossible in these radical days to feel much confidence in the working classes"; and her continuing friendship with Madame de Hatzfeldt.

Letter from Lord Randolph Churchill (Eastbourne [East Sussex]) to Jennie [Jerome, later Lady Randolph Churchill) apologising for not writing to her the previous day. He remarks on her longing for the United States and says that he could not live "in a country so much too new for my taste"; comments on society at Eastbourne; and recommends an article on English politics.

Letter from Lord Randolph Churchill (Eastbourne [East Sussex]) to Jennie [Jerome, later Lady Randolph Churchill] including his hopes that his aunt and uncle, Lord and Lady Portarlington, may influence his parents [John, 7th Duke of Marlborough and Frances Duchess of Marlborough] to allow them to marry soon.

Letter from Lord Randolph Churchill (St James' Club, Piccadilly [London]) to Jennie [Jerome, later Lady Randolph Churchill] including descriptions of errands in London, and of an evening spent with Francis Knollys and [Albert Edward, Prince of Wales].

Letter from Lord Randolph Churchill (Blenheim Palace) to Jennie [Jerome, later Lady Randolph Churchill] in which he discusses a future visit to see Auckland at Normanton [Park, Stamford] and advises her to stop reading French novels.

Letter from Lord Randolph Churchill (Blenheim Palace) to Jennie [Jerome, later Lady Randolph Churchill] including: a meeting held in Woodstock [Oxfordshire] concerning the town's sanitary arrangements; the change in his mother's [Frances, Duchess of Marlborough's] attitude towards their engagement; the advice of the parliamentary agent concerning the next general election and compliments on her letters.

Letter from Lord Randolph Churchill (Blenheim Palace) to Jennie [Jerome, later Lady Randolph Churchill] including the burning of the opera house in Paris [France] and his visit to Normanton Park [Stamford].

Letter from Lord Randolph Churchill (Blenheim Palace) to Jennie [Jerome, later Lady Randolph Churchill] apologising for his "cross" letter and discussing a dinner engagement with Mr and Mrs Strange Jocelyn.

Part of a letter from Lord Randolph Churchill [Blenheim Palace] to [Jennie Jerome, later Lady Randolph Churchill] in which he describes a visit to Oxford and says that he is looking forward to seeing her.

Letter from Lord Randolph Churchill (St James' Club, Piccadilly [London]) to Jennie [later Lady Randolph Churchill] in which he describes his journey to London with Mr and Mrs [Bill] Carrington and asks her to send him photographs.

Letter from Lord Randolph Churchill (St James' Club, Piccadilly [London]) to Jennie [later Lady Randolph Churchill] discussing the annoyance that "Robbins" might cause and an evening with [Lord] Blandford [later George, 8th Duke of Marlborough] and Francis Knollys at which they are going to see a play entitled "Les doigts de fee".

Letter from Lord Randolph Churchill (St James' Club, Piccadilly [London]) to Jennie [later Lady Randolph Churchill] describing his disappointment at not having received a letter from her.

Letter from Lord Randolph Churchill (St James' Club, Piccadilly [London]) to Jennie [later Lady Randolph Churchill] apologising for his "cross" letter to her, describing his visit to a play called "Richelieu redressed", and commenting on the political suicide of Comte de Chambord.

Letter from Lord Randolph Churchill (St James' Club, Piccadilly [London]) to Jennie [later Lady Randolph Churchill] including: apologies for doubting her; a description of his illness caused by a "beastly dinner" at White's with [Albert Edward, Prince of Wales], Francis Knollys, [Frederick] Johnstone, J Delacour, [Lord] Blandford [later George, 8th Duke of Marlborough] and Percy Doyle; and an invitation to Sandringham [Norfolk].