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. Manuscript DS, signed “Henry R,” one page, 7.5 x 5.75, July 12, 1514. The 23-year-old Henry VIII orders Sir Robert Dymoke, the 'King Champion' at his coronation, to make payment on behalf of England and the occupied French town of Tournay (Tournai). King Henry VIII orders Dymoke to pay “Lancastre, son of our heralde” the sum of 7.13.4 pounds “for suche costs and charge as he hath susteigned by our commandment to and from us and our city of Tournay.” Retains a partial paper-and-wax seal affixed at the bottom. Fully professionally backed and in very good condition, with soiling, light stains, and small areas of paper loss, none of which affect Henry's elegant signature.
Two years after Henry VIII’s succession to the throne in 1511, he embarked upon a war with France in which he had the support of his father-in-law, Ferdinand II of Aragon (Henry’s first wife was Catherine of Aragon, daughter of Ferdinand & Isabella of Spain). On September 25, 1513, Henry VIII made his ceremonial entry into Tournai, ten days after his troops invested the city. Sir Robert Dymoke (d. 1546) was the King's Champion at the coronations of Richard III, Henry VII, and Henry VIII. The role of the Champion is to ride into Westminster Hall at the coronation banquet and challenge all comers who might impugn the King's title. Dymoke distinguished himself at the Siege of Tournai in 1513, and became the King's Treasurer under Henry VIII.
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