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Auction: 15037 - Autographs, Historical Documents, Ephemera and Postal History
Lot: 4

Documents
Letters Patent Granged by Queen Elizabeth I
1600 (2 September) on one piece of vellum, written in a very neat official hand.



A licence for 53s. 4d. paid in the Hanaper to John Dixon gentleman and Joan his wife and Henry Dixon all their tithes of grain and hay and all other tithes whatsoever within the ward of Hylden in the parish of Tunbridge in the county of Kent late parcel of the rectory of Tunbridge. Held for the use and behoof of Mary Dixon wife of the aforesaid Henry during her natural life for her jointure and after her decease to the use of the said Henry. Granted to Peter Blower gentleman and William Blower gentleman and to the heirs and assigns of the said Peter. Witnessed at Westminster the 2nd day of September 42 Elizabeth.



The document bears the Great Seal engraved by Nicholas Hilliard.



Elizabeth I used this great seal during the second half of her reign - from 1586 to 1603. It is an impression from seal matrix made of bronze and was engraved by Nicholas Hilliard, who was famous for his small paintings or miniatures. The matrix was used to create wax impressions that were used to 'seal' documents. This was a means of proving that the accompanying document had been written or approved by the owner of the seal.

Seals were widely used by statesmen, nobles, judges, churchmen and even ordinary people. The great seal was the most important of all as the monarch used it to approve public acts and announcements. It was a powerful political tool.

The great seal of Elizabeth gives an insight into how the queen wanted to be seen. On one side, she is shown holding the sceptre and orb that are the traditional symbols of royal power. Heavenly rays above her head are a sign of her divine status. On the reverse side, Elizabeth is shown on horseback riding across a field of flowering plants. This symbolises hope and prosperity, as well as the queen's femininity. Her image is one of strength, but unlike her predecessors she is not wearing military dress. She is flanked by the symbols of her lands: the Tudor Rose of England, the Harp of Ireland, and the Fleur-de-Lys of France. The inscription around the edge reads :'Elizabetha dei gracia Anglie Francie et Hibernie Regina Fidei Defensor' (Elizabeth, by grace of God, Queen of England, France and Ireland, Defender of the Faith).



The seal is in a superb state of preservation, with complete inscription and comes in its original leather and wood box which is lined by printed religious text and a piece of fourteenth century religious manuscript.



Related to the same land as the previous Letter Patent, this is a very important item of Kent history. Photo


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Sold for
£4,500