Two of the letters – dated May 1603 and October 1633 – were discovered in one of the attics at Knole House by a volunteer with the building’s premises and archaeology team.

A third – dated February 1622 – was found among debris by a building contractor working in another of Knole House’s attics.

The discoveries were made during a five-year building and conservation project to open more of the house to the public. The work was supported by the Heritage Lottery Fund. 

Nathalie Cohen, National Trust archaeologist, said: “At Knole our typical finds relate to the maintenance of the house such as wiring and nails or things visitors have dropped such as cigarette packets and ticket stubs.

“These letters are significant as artefacts, but also for the insights they give us into the correspondence of the early 17th century.”

Among the letters is an appeal for domestic items from what was believed to have been a distinguished servant at the house.

Items requested include a fireshovell [sic], a new frying pan and some greenfish.

Another of the letters appears to be a thank-you note to a kind benefactor.

The three letters will be put on display in 2018, along with the attics where they were found.

Jan Cutajar, objects conservator at Knole, added: “When you think that you’re reading someone’s handwriting from 400 years ago, it sends chills down your spine.”