Description

 

 

Henry VIII, King (1491 – 1547)

Henry VIII grants lands in Essex to their rightful heir

A rare and desirable vellum document signed in ink, ‘Henry R’, one page, 19.25″ x 13.5″, May 15, 1541. The document is an indenture of livery between King Henry VIII (”the same most Crysten prynce or naturall lyege lorde’) and Humphrey Torrell, granting the latter lands inherited from his father Henry Torrell, with the stipulation that all the property be fully inspected and assessed by the King’s valuers. These lands, tenements, rents, and other hereditaments were chiefly located in Essex; the family home was Torrell’s Hall in Willingale Doe. Humphrey Torrell died in 1544, leaving an infant daughter Anne, who went on to marry Henry, son of Sir Thomas Joscelyn.

Mounted, matted, and framed with a descriptive caption to an overall size of 25.5″ x 21.5″. In generally fine condition, with slight wrinkling and soiling, a stain to the lower left that detracts very little from the overall pleasing visual effect of the item, and a small hole slightly affecting the text. Autographs of King Henry VIII are rare and highly sought after.