Historically important manuscript DS, signed “Charles R,” one page, 7.25 x 11.75, no date but circa 1645. Passport issued by King Charles I to his nephew, Prince Rupert, dismissing him from service to England after his devastating loss in the Siege of Bristol during the English Civil War, and banishing him to "ye parts beyond ye seas." In part: "Charles by ye Grace of God King of England, Scotland, France & Ireland, Defender of ye Faith &c, To All Admiralls, Vice-Admiralls, Governours & Captains of Ports, Shipps & Forts, Maiors, Sheriffs, Justices of the Peace…Whereas we have granted license unto our Nepueu Prince Rupert to passe from these our Dominions into ye parts beyond ye seas…[We] command every of you, not only to permitt him with all his Servants, horses & all his necessarys to passe by you & embarque at any of ye Ports within ye Dominions…but likewise to afford him all assistance & fitting accommodation in his safe journey." Signed at the head by King Charles I and countersigned at the conclusion by Rupert's arch-enemy, George Digby. The reverse is endorsed in Rupert's hand, "The King's passe without a date"; dated "1645" below in another hand. In fine condition, with some trivial small areas of paper loss.
The quickest way to raise money for an English King was to assemble a Parliament of the people. Unfortunately in 1640, the new Parliament assembled by King Charles I decided that the people should have a greater voice in government. They shortly attempted to seize power. Charles resisted and the result was the First English Civil War. The war pitted Charles' Royalist forces ('Cavaliers') against the Parliamentarians ('Roundheads').
Charles called upon his nephew, Prince Rupert of the Rhine, to become commander of the Royalist cavalry and ultimately the senior Royalist general. After several years, the Parliamentarians gained the advantage and Rupert was defeated in the Siege of Bristol, which came to a close on September 10, 1645. King Charles, stunned by the sudden and catastrophic loss of Bristol, dismissed Rupert from all his offices and ordered him to leave England. With these actions, King Charles I effectively conceded the loss of the First English Civil War. A remarkable document from a momentous period in world history.
Past sales history: Lot 31, The Civil War Papers of King Charles I, Prince Rupert of the Rhine and Sir Thomas Fairfax, Property of the late Colonel Alan Gandar Dower, T.D., D.L., M.F.H., Sotheby's, July 21, 1980.
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