Philipp R & Mary the Quene.- Mary I (Queen of England and Ireland, 1516-58) & Philip II (King of England and Ireland, consort of Mary I, and King of Spain, 1527-98) Letter signed to Lord Paget signed "Mary the Quene" and "Philipp R" and endorsed "By the King and the Quene", 1p., 195 x 270mm., Westminster, 29th January 1555, ordering him and "Lord Clynton" [Lord Clinton] to Windsor Castle as Commissioners to oversee the installation of Emmanuel Philibert, Duke of Savoy "by his Ambassadours resident here" and Lord Howard of Effingham "high Admirall of England" as members of the Order of the Garter, address leaf on verso: "To our right trustie and well wellbiloved Councillor the Lorde Paget one of the knightes and companyons of oure order of the Garter", dispatch slits, docketed on verso, folds, very small hole not affecting text, slightly creased, modern boards.

⁂ Signed by both Philip and Mary, with the bold signature of Philip signed in its English form and taking precedence over Queen Mary. An extremely scarce document in extraordinary condition.

Philip of Spain came to England twice, the first time in July 1554 when he married Queen Mary at Winchester Cathedral. In the autumn Mary thought herself pregnant but it proved to be a false hope and Philip left in September 1555. During his time in England Mary made every effort to associate him in the government of the realm as the above document shows, but his influence remains a matter of conjecture, except perhaps in regard to Mary's treatment of her sister Elizabeth, and in matters of faith. Philip returned briefly in March 1557 to persuade England to join his continental wars which eventually led to the loss of Calais in January 1558. Once again after his visit Mary thought that she was pregnant but by the spring it was known that she was not, and shortly after she became seriously unwell, dying of repeated fevers on 17 November 1558.

William Paget, first Baron Paget (1505/6-1563), diplomat and administrator, was one of the chief ministers in the reign of Queen Mary and at least outwardly, one of the principal negotiators of her marriage to Philip of Spain. Paget had a long established career at court, being appointed clerk of the privy council in 1540 after the execution of Thomas Cromwell. He became a key figure in the last years of Henry VIII, conversing with the dying king night after night in his last illness and was instrumental in the conviction of the earl of Surrey for treason. In the events after his death, his support for Edward Seymour, Earl of Hertford led to his betrayal of Stephen Gardiner.

Edward Fiennes de Clinton, first earl of Lincoln (1512-1585), military commander. In July 1553 Clinton seized the Tower of London in support of the Duke of Northumberland's bid to exclude Queen Mary from ascending the throne. "Imprisoned after the plot failed, Clinton begged Queen Mary for forgiveness and was pardoned on 27 July, compounding for £6000. The queen would not allow him to continue as lord admiral, but Clinton was a skilful politician and within a few months had won her trust. In January 1554, hearing that Sir Thomas Wyatt's Kentish rebels threatened the capital, Clinton and the earl of Pembroke promptly raised a force of 5000 or 6000, confronting the rebels at Temple Bar. Clinton was then appointed lieutenant-governor of London and its neighbourhood, with 'troops and ample powers' (CSP Spain, 1554, 140). Two years later he was granted lands in Lincolnshire worth £60 per annum in consideration of his service. Clinton attended Philip of Spain on his arrival in England in July 1554 and was rewarded with a pension from Philip of 1000 crowns per annum. That autumn Mary sent Clinton to invest the duke of Savoy with the Order of the Garter, instructing him to visit Philip in Brussels on his return journey." (Oxford DNB).

William Howard, first Baron Howard of Effingham (c.1510-1573), naval commander. Participated in the defence of London with Lord Clinton against Thomas Wyatt's rebellion. In the reign of Elizabeth I Howard served as Lord Chamberlain and later Lord Privy Seal.