Queen of England and Ireland from 1553 until her death whose brutal persecution of Protestants earned her the nickname 'Bloody Mary' (1516-1558). Rare manuscript DS in Early Modern English, signed “Marye the queene,” one page, 10.25 x 7.5, June 18, [1554]. Queen Mary issues a passport to Nicholas Taphoren, in part: "Whereas Nicholas Taphoren, gentleman of the town of 's-Hertogenbosch in Brabant, hath made suit unto us for our licence to depart this our realm in to the parts of beyond the seas, we let you with our pleasure and straight commandment is that...[all] peaceably allow you to pass, without any unlawful search, trouble or contradiction." Signed at the top by Queen Mary and countersigned at the foot by Secretary of State William Petre. Handsomely double-matted and framed with an engraved portrait to an overall size of 15.5 x 25.5. In very good to fine condition, with intersecting folds and scattered overall creasing.
Nicholas Taphoren had been one of an influx of German mercenaries bound to service under King Henry VIII, serving as clerk of the musters of 'the Almain horse and foot.' He had served under a shadow of bribery and after a failed suit against the Crown was, as seen in this document, promptly granted a pass to leave England. Mary signed this document at the Oatlands Palace in Surrey, where she awaited the arrival of King Philip II of Spain, whom she married a month later on July 25, 1554. Queen Mary's autograph is extremely scarce and of the utmost desirability.
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