EDWARD IV (1442-1483)

Details

EDWARD IV (1442-1483)
Two pieces of hair cut from the head of Edward IV, each wrapped in paper and inscribed in an 18th-century hand: "Presented by Sir Joseph Banks. Hair from the Beard of Edward IV taken when his tomb was opened 1789" and "Hair from the Head of Edward IV died 1483. Tomb open'd 1789 at Windsor," contained in a round wooden box. (3)

Provenance

Strawberry Hill Catalogue: The Fifteenth Day's Sale of the Valuable Contents of Strawberry Hill. On Wednesday, the 11th Day of May, 1842, lot 57.

Lot Essay

Edward was the second son of Richard, Duke of York and Cicely Nevill (also known as "The Rose of Raby" and "Proud Cis"). He was buried in St. George's Chapel, Windsor. This hair was removed when the tomb was re-opened in 1789.

More from Autograph Letters and Modern First Editions

View All