Item 26: Royal Decree by King William III (removed to Legal Box #1), 1691 April 3
Item — Box: 2, Folder: 26
Dates
- Created: 1691 April 3
Creator
Disclaimer for Name and Subject Authorities
Some of the name and subject authority tags have been assigned by educated guessing and estimation of persons and subjects by region, age, profession, and familial relationships. They have been thoroughly researched by using primary and secondary sources available digitally, and named in each description, or in some cases linked directly to the person tag.
Access:
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Extent
1 items
Language of Materials
From the Collection: English
Type of Material:
Royal Decree
Condition Note:
Fair. Document is taped and glued together; right side of document is worn; slight tear in the middle of the document, approximately 1 inch long
Measurements:
14 ⅛ in. x 9 in.
Description:
The following item is a royal decree (a letters patent) signed by King William III, 1650-1702 to Sir Robert Howard, 1626-1698, auditor of the Exchequer on April 3, 1691, from the Palace of Whitehall’s Treasury Chamber . The decree is requesting the payment of a debt to Henry Dethick Esq. (possibly 1623-1707), Richmond Herald of Arms in Ordinary from 1677 to 1704, of 18 pounds, 13 shilling, 4 pence, (approximately $2,985 in 2017), via a money order or through debentures. As Richmond Herald, Henry Dethick Esq. received an annual salary of 26 pounds, 13 shillings, 4 pence [see for more information about Henry Dethick and his actions as Richmond Herald]. The decree mentions King Charles II, but is signed by William III, King of England, 1650-1702, so it seems that this document is executing an order from the late king. This debt repayment may be due to the Great Stop of the Exchequer. It appears that the bottom of this document contains some sort of scribe shorthand, possibly used by the office of the exchequer. Signed as “William R” with the “R” referring to “Rex” (King). This document was countersigned by Hampden, Richard, 1631-1695, Fox, Stephen, Sir 1627-1716, and Pelham, Thomas 1653-1712. Richard Hampden was Chancellor of the Exchequer from 1690-1694. Sir Stephen Fox (signature) acted as Paymaster of the Forces from 1661-1676 and 1679-1680 but refused to convert to Roman Catholicism under King James II, thus resigning from the position. He returned to politics under King William III and was reelected by Parliament in 1691. Due to Sir Stephen Fox’s background in managing finances, it is very likely that he carried out similar duties for King William III. Thomas Pelham acted as Lord Commissioner of the Treasury at the time this was signed. The “late Act of Parliament” mentioned in this manuscript may refer to the Oaths of Supremacy and Allegiance Act of 1688 that required individuals in office and in Parliament to swear allegiance to King William III and Queen Mary II in the wake of the Glorious Revolution. King William III of England was King William II of Scotland.
Location:
Whitehall Treasury Chamber
Transcription:
[Front]
William R. [Signature]
After Our hearty Comendations [sic] [Commendations] By vertue [sic] [virtue] of the Letters Patents of his late Ma[jest]ty. King Charles the second, and of their present Ma[jesty’]ts Letters of Privy Seale [sic] [Seal] ni [sic] [on] this [sic] [his] behalf. These are to pray & require you to make and pass Debentuns [sic] [Debentures] or dran [sic] [draw] an Order for paying unto Henry Dethick Esq[ui]r[e]. or his Assignes [sic] [assigned person] of the sume [sic] [sum] of eighteen pounds thirteen shillings four pence ni [sic] [in] further part of what remains due to him upon his Fee or Salary of Twenty six pounds thirteen shillings four pence And as he was Richmond Herrald ni [sic] [in] the hire of his said late Ma[jes]ty. King Charles the second. And let the same be sattisfyed [sic] [satisfied] out of the money of the Imposition on Tobacco & Sugar Provided he tooke [sic] [took] the Oaths & made & subscribed the Declaracon [sic] [Declaration] pursuant to the direccon [sic] [direction] of the late Act of Parliament for which this shall be your Warrant. Whitehall Treasury Chamber. Aprill [sic] [April] 3[r]d. 1691.
To Our very loving freind [sic] [friend] S[i]r. Robert Howard Kn[igh]t. Aud[ito]r. of the Rec:? (Receipt?) of their Ma[jes]t[y’]s. Excheq[ue]r. R. Hampden [Signature] Ste: Fox [Signature] T. Pelham [Signature] [Two symbols, likely scribe shorthand] In/d (Inserted?) in office(?) Order(?) Pree (?) Dethick [Three symbols, likely scribe shorthand] Hen. Dethick 18.13.4
[Back] Warr[en]t [Same three symbols as the bottom of the front page, likely scribe shorthand] Henry Dethick 18.13.4
After Our hearty Comendations [sic] [Commendations] By vertue [sic] [virtue] of the Letters Patents of his late Ma[jest]ty. King Charles the second, and of their present Ma[jesty’]ts Letters of Privy Seale [sic] [Seal] ni [sic] [on] this [sic] [his] behalf. These are to pray & require you to make and pass Debentuns [sic] [Debentures] or dran [sic] [draw] an Order for paying unto Henry Dethick Esq[ui]r[e]. or his Assignes [sic] [assigned person] of the sume [sic] [sum] of eighteen pounds thirteen shillings four pence ni [sic] [in] further part of what remains due to him upon his Fee or Salary of Twenty six pounds thirteen shillings four pence And as he was Richmond Herrald ni [sic] [in] the hire of his said late Ma[jes]ty. King Charles the second. And let the same be sattisfyed [sic] [satisfied] out of the money of the Imposition on Tobacco & Sugar Provided he tooke [sic] [took] the Oaths & made & subscribed the Declaracon [sic] [Declaration] pursuant to the direccon [sic] [direction] of the late Act of Parliament for which this shall be your Warrant. Whitehall Treasury Chamber. Aprill [sic] [April] 3[r]d. 1691.
To Our very loving freind [sic] [friend] S[i]r. Robert Howard Kn[igh]t. Aud[ito]r. of the Rec:? (Receipt?) of their Ma[jes]t[y’]s. Excheq[ue]r. R. Hampden [Signature] Ste: Fox [Signature] T. Pelham [Signature] [Two symbols, likely scribe shorthand] In/d (Inserted?) in office(?) Order(?) Pree (?) Dethick [Three symbols, likely scribe shorthand] Hen. Dethick 18.13.4
[Back] Warr[en]t [Same three symbols as the bottom of the front page, likely scribe shorthand] Henry Dethick 18.13.4
Creator
Repository Details
Part of the Wilkes University Archives Repository
Contact:
84 W South St.
Wilkes-Barre PA 18701 US
570-408-2000
570-408-7823 (Fax)
ask.archives@wilkes.edu
84 W South St.
Wilkes-Barre PA 18701 US
570-408-2000
570-408-7823 (Fax)
ask.archives@wilkes.edu