A “pardon to severall Quakers” signed by King

Charles II in 1672

136. King Charles II Signed Pardon for Quakers. Manuscript DS, signed “Charles R,” one page both sides, 7.5 x 12, July 9, 1672. Warrant granting a pardon to twenty Quakers and other non-conformists, naming those who are pardoned for not attending church, for not taking the Oath of Allegiance, and for frequenting or being present at seditious meetings. In part: “Our Will and pleasure is that you forthwith prepare a Bill for our Royall signature to passe our great seale containing our gracious pardon…of all offences, contempts and misdemeanors by them…in not coming to Church & hearing divine service, in refusing to take the Oath of Allegiance and supremacy and frequenting or being present at seditious conventules.” Annotated along the bottom edge of the first page: “Pardon to severall Quakers &c.” Neatly signed at the head in ink by King Charles II and countersigned at the conclusion by Lord Clifford. The white paper seal affixed at the head remains intact. In very good to fine condition, with overall toning and foxing. Starting Bid $200

139. Charles Emmanuel I, Duke of Savoy Letter

Signed. The Duke of Savoy from 1580 until his death in 1630 (born 1562) who was known as the Great and Testa d’feu (or ‘Hothead’), for his rashness and military aggression; both ambitious and confident, Charles pursued a policy of expansion for his duchy, seeking to expand it into a kingdom. LS in Italian as Duke of Savoy, one page, 8.5 x 10.25, July 10, 1610. Letter to Count Vische, requesting that he come for a visit. In fine condition, with light overall foxing. Starting Bid $200

138. King William III Document

Signed. Sovereign Prince of Orange (1650–1702) who served as King of England, Scotland, and Ireland from 1689 until his death. Manuscript DS in Dutch, signed “Prince d’Orange,” one page, 7.75 x 12.5, May 11, 1679. Untranslated document, prominently signed at the conclusion by William as Prince of Orange. In fine condition.

Starting Bid $200

140. King James VI Discharges Walter Raleigh from Tower of London. Historic DS, signed “James R,” one page, 7.5 x 12, March 19, 1615. The King’s warrant addressed to Sir George More for the discharge of Sir Walter Raleigh from imprisonment in the Tower of London, thereby allowing him to prepare for his last voyage to the Americas. In part: “Whereas Sir Walter Ralegh knight hath been a most humble suitor unto us, that wee would give him leave to take a voyage by Sea, upon his own costs and charges, to whose request in that kind wee have been graciously pleased to condescend, These are therefore to will and require you forthwith to permitt him to goe abroad with such a Keeper as you shall apoynt to attend upon him either in London or elsewhere to the end that he may by that freedome the more conveniently furnish himself with shippinge and other necessary provisions for that voyage.” Signed at the head in ink by King James VI. The original white paper seal affixed to the lower left corner remains partially intact. In very good to fine condition, with scattered faint staining, and some damage to the wax-and-paper seal.

Sir Walter Raleigh was first imprisoned in the Tower of London in 1591, after his illicit secret marriage to one of Queen Elizabeth I’s ladies-in-waiting, Elizabeth (‘Bess’) Throckmorton, was found out. He was released after a few months, but banished from the royal court for five years. In the meantime, Raleigh heard of a ‘City of Gold’ in South America and sailed to find it in 1594. On his return to England, he published an exaggerated account of his experiences in Guiana in a book that contributed to the legend of El Dorado. Though he had managed to restore royal favor with Queen Elizabeth, she passed away in 1603 and he became embroiled in a plot to overthrow her successor, King James I. Arrested, tried, and convicted of treason, Raleigh was again sent to the Tower for what he expected would be life imprisonment.

During his extended confinement, Raleigh hatched a scheme that would appeal to the king’s avarice and grant him freedom: a plan for another expedition to the Orinoco in Guiana, where he was convinced that he had ascertained the existence of a gold mine. He would finance the voyage himself, and provide King James with one-fifth of the profits. James assented to the plot, and signed the present warrant to allow Raleigh the freedom to begin his preparations for the expedition. He would soon commission the building of the Destiny—a 500-ton treasure-hunting ship bound of El Dorado.

Conceived with the highest and most enthusiastic hopes, the expedition set sail in June 1617 and ended disastrously: Raleigh himself was too ill to lead his force when they landed, and a detachment of men under his command attacked a Spanish outpost on the Orinoco river, violating existing peace treaties and Raleigh’s own orders. His son was shot and killed in the skirmish, and—to make matters worse—they found no treasure. On his return to England, Raleigh was arrested and accused of fabricating reports of South American gold mines in order to plunder the Spaniards. Under pressure from Spain’s ambassador, King James reinstated Raleigh’s death sentence and returned him to the Tower of London. On October 29, 1618, he was beheaded outside the Palace of Westminster.

Past sales history: The Library of William Foyle, Christie’s, July 12, 2000. Starting Bid $5000

Rare letter from one King of England to another: as Elector of Hanover, George I corresponds with William III

This is an extremely rare letter from one King of England to another. In 1700, George’s chances of succession must have looked very doubtful: William’s heiress Anne might have left a surviving child, or William himself might have remarried after the death of his wife Mary. Anne would succeed William on his death in 1702, reigning until she passed away in 1714. Despite 17 pregnancies, she died without surviving issue and was the last monarch of the House of Stuart. Under the Act of Settlement 1701, which excluded all Catholics, she was succeeded by her second cousin George I of the House of Hanover. Past sales history: Sotheby’s, December 14, 1989. Starting Bid $200