King of England, Scotland, and Ireland (born 1600) from 1625 until his execution in the wake of the English Civil War in 1649. Rare manuscript vellum DS, signed "Charles P.," one page, 13.75 x 9.5, May 10, 1625. Warrant to the Master of the Great Wardrobe, detailing the design and making of the livery for the officers at arms who would be accompanying the King to Dover. The purpose of the trip to Dover was to meet the new queen upon her arrival from France. In part: "Charles by the grace of God...To our right trustie and right noble cousin, William, Earl of Denbigh, Master of our Great Wardrobe. Greeting. We will and command...to be delivered, to our trustie and noble servants Garter, Clarenceux and Norroy, King of Arms...so each of them be [furnished] a coat of our arms wrought upon...with fine trimmed gold, and to be furnished...and to our trustie and noble servants, Lancaster, Richmond, Chester, Windsor, Sommerset, and Mowbray, & guards of Arms...Portcullis, Blue-Mantle, Rouge Croix, Rouge Dragon with Blanche Lion...coats of the same arms embroidered with [satin], Damask embroidered with gold threads...appointed to attend us to Dover.” Signed in the upper left by King Charles I, and countersigned in the lower left by Robert Kirkham as clerk. The original paper seal remains affixed to the lower portion. In very good condition, with soiling, creasing, two small holes, and fading to the signature.
An exceptionally early document from King Charles, signed 44 days after assuming the throne and nine days after his marriage (by proxy) to Princess Henrietta Maria of France, sister of King Louis XIII. Although intending to first meet each other at Dover, Charles, 24, and Henrietta, 15, first met in person on June 13, 1625, in Canterbury, with Charles delaying the opening of his first Parliament until after the marriage was consummated, to forestall any opposition. Charles was crowned on February 2, 1626, at Westminster Abbey, but without his wife at his side, because she refused to participate in a Protestant religious ceremony. Henrietta’s Catholic faith prohibited her from being crowned in a Church of England service; therefore, she never had a coronation. A fascinating document both relating to and predating the marriage of Charles and Henrietta.
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