Lot 615
1264 King Henry III Royal Charter, Great Seal on Vellum, Second Barons' War
1264 King Henry III Royal Charter, Great Seal on Vellum, Second Barons' War
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England, reign of King Henry III, March 1., ca. 1264 CE. Remarkably rare and important royal charter on vellum, bearing the Great Seal of Henry III in dark green wax, attached by a multicolored braided silk cord. The document, issued at Rochester in the 48th year of Henry’s reign, grants to Mathew de Lusignan and his heirs in perpetuity the right to hold a weekly market every Thursday at DeBeafiton in the area of Rufft, as well as an annual fair during the week of the Feast of St. Michael. The grant stipulates that these privileges be exercised without injury to neighboring markets and fairs, and confirms the liberties and customs then pertaining to such rights. A superb survival of 13th-century royal administration, issued at the height of the Second Barons’ War. Size of Frame: 15.375" W x 19.5" H (39.1 cm x 49.5 cm)
Text of document: "Henry, by the grace of God, King of England, Lord of Ireland, Duke of Aquitaine, to the archbishops, bishops, abbots, priors, counts, barons, justiciars, viscounts, bailiffs, ministers, and all his subjects and faithful people, greetings. Be it known that we have conceded and by this decision of ours confirm for our beloved and most faithful Matthew de Lusignan that he and his heirs in perpetuity have a market on the Thursday of every week after the manner of his market in DeBeafton in the area of Rufft. And in the same place, one week every year during the days to be determined, namely the vigil and the octave of St. Michael. Hold this market and fair without injury to the neighboring market and fairs. Therefore we wish and firmly proclaim before our faithful people that the aforesaid Matthew and his heirs have the aforesaid market and fair in perpetuity with all the liberties and free customs pertaining at this time to the market and fair, but only if this market and fair are held without injury to neighbouring markets and fairs as was said before. In witness thereof, given by our hand at Roffe the first of March in the 48th year of our reign."
Date confirmed precisely: The 48th year of Henry III's reign = 1 March 1264.
Grantee — Matthew de Lusignan: This is a major figure. The Lusignans were Henry III's half-brothers through his mother Isabella of Angoulême's second marriage. Matthew de Lusignan was a member of the Poitevin royal family — deeply controversial figures in 13th century England, resented by the barons as foreign favourites of the king. Their privileges were a central grievance of Simon de Montfort's baronial opposition.
"Roffe" = Roffensis = Rochester, where Henry III held court.
Subject matter — a grant of weekly market and annual fair rights to Matthew de Lusignan at "DeBeafton in the area of Rufft" — a grant of significant economic privilege in perpetuity.
Historical context: This charter was issued just 10 weeks before the Battle of Lewes (14 May 1264), when Henry III was defeated and captured by Simon de Montfort. It represents one of the last acts of Henry's free government before losing control of his seal. A grant to his Lusignan half-brother at this moment of political crisis is historically charged.
Provenance: private Ontario, California, USA collection
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Item #
202463
- Condition: Seal with single break across left upper corner - difficult to discern. Some features a bit soft from age. Remarkable condition for a document written in 1264.
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