Rare LS in Latin, signed “Adquaenis officia paratissimus, Georgius Ludovicus Elector,” one page both sides, 9 x 13.75, September 14, 1700. A grateful letter in which George, as elector of Hanover, thanks King William III of England for his help and assistance, and for restoring peace in recent times. He also refers to Baron Shutz, the Hanoverian envoy extraordinary to London. In fine condition, with fold splits, and seal-related paper loss, to the integral address leaf.
This is an extremely rare letter from one King of England to another. In 1700, George's chances of succession must have looked very doubtful: William's heiress Anne might have left a surviving child, or William himself might have remarried after the death of his wife Mary. Anne would succeed William on his death in 1702, reigning until she passed away in 1714. Despite 17 pregnancies, she died without surviving issue and was the last monarch of the House of Stuart. Under the Act of Settlement 1701, which excluded all Catholics, she was succeeded by her second cousin George I of the House of Hanover.
Past sales history: Sotheby's, December 14, 1989.
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