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Auction: 13050 - Postal History and Historical documents
Lot: 2061

Historical Documents
Prince George of Denmark and Norway
1703 (7 Jan.) a royal decree signed by "His Royal Highness Prince George of Denmark & Lord High Admiral of England, Ireland Ec. And of all Her Maj. Plantations Ec. And Generalifsimo of all Her Maj. Forces", authorising "Sir John Graydon Esq. Rear Adm. of the White Squadron of Her Mat. Fleet & Commander in Chief of Her Maj. Ships as Vefsells in the Rivers of Thames & Medway" authorising the holding of courts martial, "... for the regulating & better government of the Navy, Ships of Warr and Forces by Sea, and for the Tryall of such persons as shall offend against the same, ...", signed "George" and "By Comand of His Royall Highnefs" Josiah Burchett. A few folding creases, fresh and fine. Photo

Prince George of Denmark and Norway, Duke of Cumberland (2 April 1653 – 28 October 1708), was the husband of Queen Anne, who reigned over Great Britain from 1702.

His marriage to Anne was arranged in the early 1680s with a view to developing an Anglo-Danish alliance to contain Dutch maritime power. As a result, George was unpopular with his Dutch brother-in-law William of Orange, who was married to Anne's elder sister, Mary. William and Mary became joint monarchs of Britain, with Anne as their heiress presumptive, in 1689 after the "Glorious Revolution" deposed James II and VII, the father of both Anne and Mary.

William excluded George from active military service, and neither George nor Anne wielded any great influence until after the deaths of William and Mary, when Anne became queen. During his wife's reign, George occasionally used his influence in support of his wife, even when privately disagreeing with her views. He had an easy-going manner and little interest in politics; his appointment as Lord High Admiral in 1702 was largely honorary.

Anne's seventeen pregnancies by George resulted in twelve miscarriages or stillbirths, four infant deaths, and a chronically sick son, William, who died at the age of eleven. Despite the history of their children, George and Anne's marriage was a strong one. George died aged 55 from a recurring and chronic lung disease and was buried in Westminster Abbey.

Josiah Burchett (1666-1746) had been hired as a clerk and body servant by Pepys, the Secretary of the Admiralty, but later dismissed for insolence. After Pepys' fall from power, Burchett returned to the Admiralty and was eventually appointed Secretary

In June 1702, Sir John Graydon, in command of HMS Triumph at Portsmouth, was promoted to be rear-admiral of the blue, and ordered out to join Sir George Rooke on the coast of Spain. He was with him in the attempt on Cadiz, and in the destruction of the enemy's ships at the Battle of Vigo Bay; and having his flag on HMS Lancaster returned home in company with Sir Cloudesley Shovell in charge of the prizes. The following January he was promoted to be vice-admiral of the white, and appointed commander-in-chief of a squadron sent out to the West Indies.

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