The Fairfax Library, a collection of more than 5,000 pamphlets and letters from the English Civil War, was sold at Sotheby's in London at the beginning of December for £ 441,582.

Fears that the break-up of the archive would allow national treasures to go abroad were quelled when the British Library, the Bodleian Library, Oxford, York Minister, York City Archives (and Partizan Press) stepped in.

The British Library had previously turned down an offer to buy the whole collection, compiled by descendants of General Sir Thomas Fairfax, Cromwell's Comander-in-Chief and victor at the Battle of Naseby.

Most competition arose over Civil War newspapers with names such as Mercurius Republicus and The Kingdome's Weekly Intelligencer.

"These are among the very earliest English newspapers, " said Mr Peter Shelley, of Sotheby's "The 1640s was the first time newsprint was available to report a war and these had a rich historical importance." A collection in four volumes fetched £ 9,200.

Much battle was done over material on the start of the war in 1642 and the King's execution in 1649.

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