Details
[EDWARD IV (1442-1483), King of England]. Manuscript document with royal seal, appointing Thomas Witham Chancellor of the Exchequer for life, signed by Sir Robert Kirkham, Keeper of the Rolls of the Chancery, Westminster, 21 December 1461. 1 sheet, 109 x 314 mm. (4¼ x 12½ in.), ON FINE PARCHMENT, written in Latin in a fine chancery hand, first line of text with extensively decorated ascenders, soiling, small holes do not affect text, matted with special compartment for seal, in a walnut frame.
SEAL: Great seal of England in white wax (diameter 111 mm. (4 3/8 in.), an enthroned king holding cross and scepter, flanked by two lions, armorial shields, flowers and gothic architectural elements; verso - the armored king on horseback), pendant on a vellum tag, quite worn and chipped at edges, surface rubbed.
JUST AFTER HIS ACCESSION TO THE THRONE, EDWARD IV APPOINTS A CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUER; Thomas Witham is to be be succeeded by Robert Ingleton upon resignation or death. Edward was the eldest son of Richard Plantagenet, 3rd Duke of York. After his father's death at Wakefield in 1460, Edward defeated the Lancastrians and was proclaimed king, in place of the deposed Henry VI; in 1470 Henry was restored to the throne and Edward exiled to Holland. Edward refused to be vanquished. His return to England, his subsequent victory at Tewkesbury in 1471 and the murder of Henry and Prince Edward in the Tower of London ensured that he would remain King until his death.
SEAL: Great seal of England in white wax (diameter 111 mm. (4 3/8 in.), an enthroned king holding cross and scepter, flanked by two lions, armorial shields, flowers and gothic architectural elements; verso - the armored king on horseback), pendant on a vellum tag, quite worn and chipped at edges, surface rubbed.
JUST AFTER HIS ACCESSION TO THE THRONE, EDWARD IV APPOINTS A CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUER; Thomas Witham is to be be succeeded by Robert Ingleton upon resignation or death. Edward was the eldest son of Richard Plantagenet, 3rd Duke of York. After his father's death at Wakefield in 1460, Edward defeated the Lancastrians and was proclaimed king, in place of the deposed Henry VI; in 1470 Henry was restored to the throne and Edward exiled to Holland. Edward refused to be vanquished. His return to England, his subsequent victory at Tewkesbury in 1471 and the murder of Henry and Prince Edward in the Tower of London ensured that he would remain King until his death.