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Auction: 26066 - Historical Documents, Autographs and Ephemera
Lot: 1093

King James II - In Exile
1692 (20 June), a small printed military commission (c.151x95mm.) signed at top "James R" while in exile in St. Germains, reading:

"James the Second by the grace of God King of England Scotland France and Ireland and defender of the Faith &c. To our Trusty and Wellbeloved [blank] Greeting. This is to autorize you to be Cornett to that Tropp of Horse whereof Our Trusty & wellbeloved [blank] is Captain in the Regiment Commanded by Our Trusty and wellbeleoved [blank] & to obey the orders from time to time according to the Disciplin of war. Given at Our Court at St. Germains the twentieth day of June 1692 and in the eight year of Our Reigne"

Countersigned at foot "Melfort".

Laid down on card and with some paper loss clear of the signature and text. A very rare and most unusual printed commission.

Notes: On Charles II's death in 1685, King James II rose to the throne. He was seen, contrary to Charles, as somewhat of a weak leader, and with little political nous, After just a few months, William of Orange, Duke of Orange invaded and claimed the throne, gaining the support of many. In 1690 James was defeated at the Battle of Boyne and fled to France where he would spend the rest of his life in exile at the Royal Chateau of Sain-Germain-en-Laye taking with him an entourage of mostly Catholic nobles. His tomb would later be raided during the French Revolution.

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Estimate
£600 to £800

Starting price
£480