The manuscript of her collected writing demonstrates that she was well educated — not only through the variety of literary genres she mastered, but also through her allusions to classical authors, and her interest in recent scientific discoveries. It contains one hundred and twenty poems and an unfinished prose romance. There is no evidence that her writing was ever published (prior to the 21st century) nor that it was even circulated.
It is interesting to note that John Milton wrote a sonnet in honour of James Ley, addressed to Hester’s sister Lady Margaret Ley which begins: “Daughter to that good Earl…” It was in 1626 that James Ley became the first earl of Marlborough.
She married Arthur Pulter in 1620, several months before she turned 15. They primarily lived at his inherited estate of Broadfield near the village of Cottered in Hertfordshire (pictured above). Although Lady Hester Pulter gave birth to eight daughters and seven sons — mentioned by name in her poems — she only predeceased two of them.
The Desire
Dear God, vouchsafe from Thy high throne
To see my tears, and hear my moan;
For I, in heaven and earth, have none
To pity me
In my dejected sad estate,
Wherein I’m thrown by adverse fate,
And hope in none till my last date
But only Thee.
O then be pleased my dust to raise,
To sing thy everlasting praise
In those celestial unknown lays,
With life and love.
Then shall I leave these terrene toys,
Obliviating past annoys,
And be involved in endless joys
With Thee above.
Entry written by D.S. Martin. He is the author of five poetry collections including Angelicus (2021, Cascade) ― a book of poems written from the point-of-view of angels. His books are available through Wipf & Stock.
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