King of England from 1509 until his death in 1547, remembered for his role in the English Reformation, his six marriages (and his beheaded ex-wives), and his radical changes to the English Constitution. Historic vellum manuscript DS in Latin, signed “Henry R,” one page, 11.5 x 8, November 1, 1516. Document signed at Greenwich, ratifying the Treaty of London. In part (translated): "We Henry by the grace of God King of England and France and Lord of Ireland promise and do by these holy gospels and canon touched physically by us swear that for our part we will faithfully and inviolably observe the treaty of concord peace and friendship and all and singular articles of the same entered and concluded by our authority between our orators procurators and commissioners and those of His Imperial Majesty and of the Catholic Johanna and Charles Kings of Castille Leon Granada Aragon etc." Boldly signed at the conclusion in ink by King Henry VIII. Housed in a handsome full morocco presentation folder by Riviere. In fine condition. Accompanied by a full translation.
Provenance: Lot 304, The Library of William Foyle, Christie's, July 13, 2000.
By this document, King Henry VIII pledged to uphold a compact signed by commissioners in London on October 29, 1516, between the Holy Roman Emperor (Maximilian I), the King of Spain (Charles I, later Emperor Charles V), and the latter's mother, Joanna of Castile ('la Loca,' the Mad). Their agreement aimed at containing French power and supporting the Swiss, a goal Thomas Wolsey had pursued for months.
Under the agreement, Emperor Maximilian and Henry VIII would each provide 5,000 cavalry and 20,000 infantry. England and Spain would also supply ships, and the Pope was invited to lead the alliance. The Swiss were to be secured with an annual pension. Although Maximilian ratified the treaty on 9 December—encouraged by a private deal with Henry that forgave his debts and promised him funds for a campaign around Verona—Wolsey’s plan soon collapsed. The Swiss accepted a French counteroffer, and Maximilian, lured by 60,000 florins from Francis I, instead joined the Treaty of Noyon, which had been secretly negotiated with Charles of Spain earlier that year.
King Henry VIII's autograph is highly sought in any form, and this is an especially significant document as it pertains to peace on the European continent.
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