New documents have shed light on the lives of two of Dorset's most prominent historical figures - writer Thomas Hardy and Admiral Sir Thomas Masterman Hardy.

The recent purchases at auction, funded jointly by Friends of the National Library and Dorset Archives Trust, include letters and a book, which will be held for public benefit at Dorset History Centre (DHC).

Letter by Florence Hardy

The first acquisition is a letter written in September 1927 by Florence Hardy to a Mr. Lea of Bockhampton portending Thomas Hardy's death. This documents his deteriorating health and she tells of a 'very able London doctor', Sir Henry Head, who had retired to Dorset and who was being particularly attentive to Hardy.

Sir Henry had advised that Hardy 'ought not to see friends or any callers, two days in succession… [as] the strain of a long conversation is very bad for his heart'.

The letter is poignant in that it was written a little over four months before Hardy's death on January 14, 1928 of a cardiac-related condition.

Letters surrounding Hardy's burial

The second acquisition is a set of two letters concerning the arrangements of the burial of the author in Poet's Corner in Westminster Abbey.

The exchange is between the Dean of Westminster and the vicar of Fordington, the Reverend Richard Grosvenor Bartelot. The dean writes to Rev Bartelot that his decision to permit Hardy's burial in Poet's Corner 'has given rise to a great deal of controversy. I am receiving every day furious protests on the ground that his teaching was anti-Christian and that he himself was not a Christian, that his moral standard was very low'. He goes on to say that he has previously ignored the criticism but now he had received a letter from the 'head of a great religious body' so felt compelled to properly respond to Hardy's detractors.

The Rev Bartelot replied that although convinced of Hardy's essential Christianity, 'he had never been able to penetrate the armour' and that 'he [Hardy] absolutely refused to be drawn on religious matters'.

Hardy's ashes were buried at Westminster Abbey o January 16, 1928. Highlighting Hardy's undying associations with Dorset, a spadeful of soil, supplied by local farm labourer Christopher Corbin, was sprinkled on the casket.

Captain Thomas Hardy at Trafalgar

The third item acquired by DHC relates to Captain Thomas Hardy and is the proof copy of The Three Dorset Captains at Trafalgar by Broadley and Bartelot published n 1906.

The book, now reprinted several times, discusses the contributions at that critical sea battle of Captains Digby, Bullen and Hardy.

The volume is particularly significant because it contains annotated changes to the text along with correspondence between the authors, as well as a manuscript letter from Thomas Masterman Hardy.

Pasted into the front cover is a short note from Nelson himself - signing himself as the 'Duke of Bronte' - in which he decries 'scoundrels' who attacked the French ambassador's carriage.

This is an important piece of Dorset and the UK's maritime history.

Carola Campbell, chairman of Dorset Archives Trust, said: "The trust is privileged to support the Dorset History Centre in purchasing these important documents.

"They provide fascinating and intimate information on two of Dorset's most famous men, both named Thomas Hardy. This archival material has now been saved from obscurity and is accessible to all Dorset history lovers.

"The Dorset Archives Trust maintains a purchase fund to provide monies to the history centre to make such purchases which pop up with little or no warning. Please support this fund, if you are able, donations can be made on our website."

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