A love letter from Henry VIII to Anne Boleyn: “which causeth me now to write this shorter letter to you at this time, because of some pain in my head; wishing myself (especially in an evening) in my sweetheart’s arms, whose pretty dukkys I trust shortly to kiss.” dukkys means breasts [2378×1896]

The letter is now housed at the Vatican Apostolic Library.

> Myne awne Sweetheart, this shall be to advertise you of the great ellingness that I find here since your departing, for I ensure you, me thinketh the Tyme longer since your departing now last than I was wont to do a whole Fortnight; I think your Kindness and my Fervence of Love causeth it, for otherwise I wolde not thought it possible, that for so little a while it should have grieved me, but now that I am comeing toward you, me thinketh my Pains by half released, and also I am right well comforted, insomuch that my Book maketh substantially for my Matter, in writing where of I have spent above IIII Hours this Day, which caused me now to write the shorter Letter to you at this Tyme, because some Payne in my Head, wishing my self (specially an Evening) in my Sweethearts Armes whose pritty Duckys I trust shortly to kysse. Writne with the Hand of him that was, is, and shall be yours by his will,

[https://www.luminarium.org/renlit/henrytoanne.htm](https://www.luminarium.org/renlit/henrytoanne.htm)