Licence: Public Domain Mark
Credit: Sales catalogue 650: Maggs Bros. Source: Wellcome Collection.
18/84 page 16
![Coward Vi. 1547-1553 CONFISCATION OF THE CHURCH PLATE AT THE REFORMATION. [9] DOCUMENT SIGNED BY THE KING- ADDRESSED TO. OUK OFFICER OF OUR EXCHEQUER, CHANCELLORS AND OTHER OUR OFFICERS AND MINISTERS OF OUR COURTS OF AUGMENTA- TIONS?” 1 page, small oblong folio (vellum), small seal missing. Oatlands, 24th Sep- tember, 1550. ALSO SIGNED BY Edward, Duke of Somerset (The Lord Protector), William Paulet, Earl of Wiltshire; Sir Anthony Wingfield; Thomas, Lord D’Arcy; Wm. Parr, Marquis of Northampton. £175 See Illustration opposite. An extremely interesting and important historical document signed by the boy King Edward in the fourth year of his short reign, when only thirteen years of age. Somerset, who also signs the document, had been deposed as “ Protector”’ the previous year and imprisoned in the Tower of London. On this document his name appears first among the five Councillors and as bold and impos- ing as that of his nephew King Edward at the head. To a large extent, Somerset was deposed from the Protectorate on account of the terrible financial difficulties in which England found herself. Money had been borrowed at high rates of interest from the Antwerp Jews. Bills had been renewed time and again till the Council were at their wits’ end to find the wherewithal to pay interest, let alone principal. The coinage had been debased and fraudulent coins put in circulation to an enormous extent. This need for money as much as the zeal against superstition was the pretext for the pillage of the churches. The present Warrant is in connection with the melting down of the Shrines, Crucifixes and Church Plate. The document reads :—‘“‘ Edward the VIth. by the Grace of God of England and Ireland, King, Defender of the Faith and on earth supreme hedd of the Churche of Englande and also of Ireland. To all and singly our officers of our Exchequer, Chauncellors and other our officers and ministers of our Courte of Augmentations and Revenues of our Crowne, and to all others of our Auditors and officers in whome on this behalfe, it shall or may appertain, gretings. Whereas our trustie and well-beloved Sir Anthony Auchar, Knight, treasurer of our Jewels hath by our Commandment and advise of our Counsil delivered to Sir Edmonde Pelham Knight, High Treasurer of our Mint by our Indenture bearing date the XII. of September, the fourth year of our Reign in gold plate undefaced. One thousand fifty seven onces . . at the breaking of which plate there was found in certain bases or feet of Crosses silver, gilt plate CCCLIII oz. & delivered to the said Sir Edmonde in Stones and pearls XVI oz. Remaining with the said Sir Anthony more in waste as in Timber, Iron, Lead, Copper, Tin and such like Rubbish LVII oz. So as the said Sir Edmonde hath remaining in his handes to our hope in clear gold. Six Hundred XXII oz. and in silver gilt plate CCCLIII oz. as aforesaid, as by the said indenture remaining with the said Sir Anthony, signed with the handes of the said Edmonde annexed to a Schedule, purporting particularly the parcels of the same plate the double whereof remaineth with the said Sir Edmonde signed with the handes of the said Sir Anthony . . . Our pleasure and com- mandment is that in consideration of the premises you shall clearly exonerate acquit and dis- charge the said Sir Anthony of all the saide plate to the manner of . . . oz. as aforesaid and that by warrant hereof in his accompte you fully allow unto him the delivery of the said CONTINUED ON PAGE 18. [ 16 ]](https://iiif.wellcomecollection.org/image/b31641118_0018.jp2/full/800%2C/0/default.jpg)
No text description is available for this image
No text description is available for this image
No text description is available for this image