2005-03
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 2/28/2005
JAMES II (1633-1701) King of England. Autograph Letter Signed once “James” and three times with “J”, as Duke of York, 1p. quarto, Frebruary 9 [c. 1680/81] with integral leaf addressed to his niece Charlotte Fitzroy, Countess of Lichfield and one of the 14 acknowledged illegitimate children of James’ brother, King Charles II. In most part: “...I have received your letter and shall as you desire me, write to Mr. Hyde about your affair, being I assure you very desirous to serve you, and am very sorry that my former endeavors to do it, have signyfied so little, I hope this will have a better effect, and that the business will be dispatched to your satisfaction, and in this as well as in all other things you may depend upon my furthering any of your concerns, being more than any humble servant, J. James. When you write to me do it without ceremony, and remember me very humbly to your Lord. J....” VG. Mr. Hyde most assuredly refers to Henry Hyde, who was the Second Earl of Clarendon and James’ father-in-law. This is an interesting letter because between 1679 and 1681 it was widely feared in England that there was a “Popish plot” to eliminate Charles and install James, who had become a Roman Catholic in the late 1660’s, on the throne. As a result, James spent much of this period in exile, and was probably in Edinburgh when he wrote this letter.
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