Rebellion. Well; without any other help than a few diurnals
I have wrote of longer paper than this, and in the same fine
small hand, above threescore sheets of paper.... I write with
all fidelity and freedom of all I know, of persons and things,
and the oversights and omissions on both sides, in order to
what they desired; so that you will believe it will make mad
work among friends and foes, if it were published; but out
of it enough may be chosen to make a perfect story, and the
original kept for their perusal, who may be the wiser for
knowing the most secret truths; and you know it will be an
easier matter to blot out two sheets, than to write half an
one. If I live to finish it (as on my conscience I shall, for
I write apace), I intend to seal it up, and have it always
with me. If I die, I appoint it to be delivered to you, to
whose care (with a couple of good fellows more) I shall leave
it; that either of you dying, you may so preserve it, that
in due time somewhat by your care may be published, and the
original be delivered to the King, who will not find himself
flattered in it, nor irreverently handled: though, the truth
will better suit a dead than a living man. Three hours a
day I assign to this writing task; the rest to other study
and books; so I doubt not after seven years time in this
retirement, you will find me a pretty fellow.[5]

From this, as from other passages in his letters, Clarendon's
first intentions are clear. The _History_ was to be a repository of
authentic information on 'this most lovely Rebellion', constructed
with the specifically didactic purpose of showing the King and his
advisers what lessons were to be learned from their errors; they would
be 'the wiser for knowing the most secret truths'. At first he looked