Queen of England and Ireland from 1553 until her death. Her brutal persecution of Protestants earned her the nickname, ‘Bloody Mary.’ Manuscript DS, in Old English, signed “Marye the quene,” one page, 12 x 11.25, January 31, 1553 [modern dating of 1554]. Letters patent issued to “the treasourer and chamb[er]laines of our exchequier,” a warrant to deliver “of suche our trasoure as remayneth in your custody…unto o[u]r trusty and welbeloved Mathew Colthurst whome we have appointed to be treasourer of our warres against our rebells of o[u]r countie of Kent the sume of two thousande poundes.” Signed along the top in black ink by the Queen. Bottom of the document is endorsed with five receipts by Colthurst over the succeeding week for disbursements to him of the money by exchequer teller Richard Stouley. Intersecting folds, some well-done repairs to a couple small tears and along folds, a small rusty paperclip mark along top edge, and some scattered light soiling, primarily to blank areas of the document, otherwise fine condition. The document retains it’s wax and paper seal at the center. Provenance: Christie’s, June 2012.
When the newly crowned Queen Mary insisted on marrying Phillip II of Spain, insurrections broke out throughout England; while Protestants were motivated by the fear of spreading Catholicism, others opposed it on the grounds of patriotism, outraged that she intended to marry a non-Englishman. The Kentish uprising known as Wyatt’s Rebellion broke out on January 25, just six days before Mary signed this document delivering “the sume of two thousande poundes” to her treasurer to handle the matter. With 3000 men behind him, Sir Thomas Wyatt the younger reached Southwark on February 3rd; in their attempt to advance on London four days later, however, his force disintegrated. Wyatt surrendered, and like so many who crossed Mary, was executed on April 11, 1554. This document holds a beautiful example of the controversial queen’s signature, made even more desirable by its content regarding the famous uprising at the start of her reign—this is the first Queen Mary I we have ever offered! Pre-certified John Reznikoff/PSA/DNA and RR Auction COA.
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