Philip II, King of Spain (1556-1598), put down the revolt of the Moors, instituted the Inquisition, and launched his nation’s famed naval Armada. After the death of his first wife and cousin, Princess Maria of Portugal, in 1545, Philip married his first cousin once removed, Queen Mary I of England (1516–1558), in 1554. The staunchly Catholic Mary, who earned the notorious sobriquet “Bloody” because of her leading role in the persecution of religious dissenters in England, was the oldest daughter of Henry VIII. Her half-sister, the future Elizabeth I, ascended to the British throne following Mary’s death in 1558. The strategic alliance formed by the marriage of Philip and Mary proved only temporary, as evidenced by the bloody Anglo-Spanish War (1585–1604). This protracted conflict included the stunning defeat of the invading Spanish Armada in 1588 and marked the beginning of the end for Spain’s primacy on the seas. Manuscript DS in Old English, signed “Philipp R” and “Marye the quene,” one page on vellum trimmed in size to 9.5 x 6.75, April 4 [1555]. An early passport granted to Henry Knolles. In part: “Whereas we have licensed our welbeloved the bearer .. to passe over the seas into forreyn contreys for his better experience and further knowledge wherbie to be the better able to serve our hereafter. Our will and plesure is you shall suffre him wth. one servant two horses or geldings ambling or trotting twentie markes in redie money ... and all other his baggages and necessaries quietly to passe by your wthout. any ... unlawfull ... molestation or contradiction. Fayle ye not hereof as you and everie of you tendre our plesure and will awnswere for the contrarie at yor. perills. And this our lettres shall be youre sufficient warrant and discharge....” Accompanied by a 1955 auction catalogue entry for the same item [apparently from Christie’s] and a handwritten 18th- or 19th-century transcript. Folds (very faint vertical fold between “Marye” and “the”), soiling and wrinkling, and a few faint, minor stains (including one from a seal no longer present), otherwise very good condition. Both signatures are clear and distinct. Dual-signed Philip and Mary documents are exceedingly rare. Auction LOA John Reznikoff/PSA/DNA and R&R COA.
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