The legendary “Virgin Queen” of England, the last of the Tudor line, who ruled from 1558 until her death in 1603 and who takes a place among the most effective and beloved monarchs in that nation’s history. Extremely scarce DS, in Old English, written in a secretarial hand and signed “Elizabeth R” at the head, one page, 12 x 8.25, March 10, 1567. Elizabeth remits a fine due from a servant, Peter Paulyn, who had been granted some land. In part [original spelling retained]: “Right trusty and right welbeloved Cou[ncellor) we grete you well. Whereas o[ur] servant Peter Paulyn one of the gromes of our chambre has of late a graunt of dimise from us of certayn Lands alredy passed our Signature in w[hi]ch graunt special mencion is made of a fyne of vij vijs viiijd [£7 7s 8d] payable to our use in the receipt of our exchequer…. We have condescended to remit unto him the sayd fyne. And therfor our pleasure and comandment is that you shall uppon recept hereof make entree in our recept of thexchequer … graunt aswell forhis indemnyty as for his more redy dispatch.” The adjoining leaf bears a secretarial docket. In good to very good condition, with folds, toning, soiling, and dampstaining at lower right, the latter mostly obscuring a portion of the written text; Elizabeth’s distinctive signature, however, remains clear, bold, and unaffected. COA John Reznikoff/PSA/DNA and R&R COA.
