BOLDLY SIGNED BY KING CHARLES I: EXTRAORDINARY MANUSCRIPT LETTER FROM CHARLES I DEMANDING PAYMENT FOR WILLIAM MURRAY, HIS CHILDHOOD WHIPPING BOY AND LATER HIS GROOM OF BEDCHAMBER
CHARLES I. Manuscript letter signed. Hampton Court, England, September 30, 1635. Single sheet, measuring 11-1/2 by 7-1/2 inches, mounted on thin wood veneer; handsomely framed, entire piece measures 12-1/2 by 16-1/2 inches. $6000.
Extraordinary manuscript letter written in a secretarial hand sent by Charles I in 1635, the middle of his reign, ordering payment to William Murray, once Charles I's childhood whipping boy and later his close confidante, Groom of Bedchamber, and Earl of Dysart, boldly signed by him as "Charles R."
The manuscript letter is written in a tiny and practiced secretarial hand and is boldly signed by Charles I as "Charles R." Dated September 30, 1635, Hampton Court, it directs the recipient to pay his "Servannt William Murray one of the Groomes of our Bedchamber" out of the "Revenue of Anno 1635 and 1636." At the time this was written, Charles had settled as comfortably as he ever would into his rule. His reign was marked by an interminable struggle with Parliament that led him to continually dissolve it and, for 11 years, to fail to call for a new Parliament, opting instead to rule alone. Just a few years after this letter was written, Charles was forced to summon the Short and Long Parliaments in order to fund a war with Scotland. Tensions continues to escalate. With conflict over religion, monarchy, and money at a head, the English Civil Wars erupted. Charles I's forces fought bloody battles, but were defeated in the second of the Civil Wars. In 1649, Charles was labeled "the grand author of our troubles," tried, and executed. This letter was written on behalf of Charles I's servant, William Murray. Murray began his life in service as Charles I's whipping boy, responsible for receiving punishment when the young prince misbehaved. Rather than fostering hatred, the relationship forged unique trust and the pair became close friends. Murray went on to serve as an adviser to the King, officially known as Groom of Bedchamber. Charles I expressed his gratitude for Murray's loyalty by naming him Earl of Dysart and giving him Ham House, a nine-bay, three-story estate located on the Thames.
Slight ink smudging not affecting legibility, most minor foxing, glue bleed-through along edges barely touching signature. Near-fine condition. Rare.