| This draft agreement between several members of England's Roman Catholic gentry was drawn up in 1582 with a view to establishing a settlement in North America. Having received letters patent from Queen Elizabeth I, Sir Humphrey Gilbert took possession of Newfoundland for England in 1583. This was almost accidental as he had been aiming for New England. On the return voyage, his ship, The Squirrel, was sunk in a storm. Gilbert and all hands were lost. This document is one of the oldest English-language manuscripts preserved by the National Archives. Note the handwriting, typical of the period, but difficult to read with modern eyes. MG 18, B 18 |