Eldest son (1594–1612) and heir apparent of James VI and I, King of England and Scotland, and his wife, Anne of Denmark; his death from typhoid fever at age 18 was widely regarded as a tragedy for the nation. Rare vellum manuscript DS, signed “Henry P,” one page, 12.5 x 8.75, May 30, 1611. Warrant for a grant of office and states, in part: "Henry first-born son of the most mighty James, of England, Scotland, France and Ireland king, Prince of Wales, Duke of Cornwall and Earl of Chester, to all to whom the present letters might come greetings; know you that we of Our special grace, certain knowledge and mere motion have given and granted and by these presents do give and grant to our beloved and faithful Francis Crane, gentleman, the office of clerk to our council, our chamber at London or at Westminster or elsewhere appointed called or reputed or to be appointed, reputed or named the Prince’s Council Chamber, and keeper of Our books and records there; and we have made, ordained and constituted the same Francis Crane clerk of Our council of Our chamber aforesaid and do make….the said office with its appurtenances to the aforesaid Francis Crane, by himself or by his sufficient deputy or sufficient deputies for as long as it might please us, and further of Our fuller grace we have given and granted and by these presents do give and grant to the aforesaid Francis Crane….the wage and fee of thirty pounds by year of lawful money of England, to be received and taken yearly by the hands of Our receiver general of Our treasury being in the hands of Our same receiver general for the time being to be paid yearly on the feasts of St. Michael the Archangel and the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary by equal portions."
Boldly and prominently signed at the head in ink by Prince Henry Frederick, and countersigned at the conclusion as examined by Thomas Stephens, Attorney General to the Prince of Wales in 1610–1611. Also, most unusually, signed again by Stephens at the foot, under an explanation of the content of the document to the Prince: "This containeth a grant by your highness to Francis Crane gentleman of the office of clerk of your highness’s council and keeping of your books and records in your council chamber during your pleasure with the fee of thirty pounds a year for exercise of the same office, payable by your receiver-general out of your treasure and is done upon signification of your good pleasure in this behalf by Mr. [Adam] Newton your highness’s secretary." Neatly inlaid to upper and lower edges and in fine condition, with light soiling (heaviest to the upper left corner), and very slightly irregularly trimmed. Given his tragic early death, Prince Henry Frederick's autograph is exceedingly rare in all forms.
The recipient of the grant, Sir Francis Crane (c. 1579-1636), was an English courtier and tapestry manufacturer who founded Mortlake Tapestry Works. Crane served both Prince Henry and his younger brother Charles (who was later crowned King Charles I), becoming auditor-general to Prince Charles in May 1617 and a member of his council in 1623. Crane was considered of sufficient social standing to become lay chancellor of the Order of the Garter in July 1626.
Crane’s fame rests on his establishment of the manufactory at Mortlake. Bearing his initials, the finest tapestries ever made in England are his lasting memorial. In 1618 James I’s ‘princely cogitation’ led his privy council to enquire into certain possibilities of tapestry manufacture. Crane’s proposals were accepted and, in August 1619, having been granted fees for the making of three baronets to offset initial costs, he acquired property at Mortlake for erecting workshops. These could accommodate eighteen looms, used to create expensive decorative tapestries based on classical paintings.
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