Description: Edward IV

Edward IV Signed Military Checklist before French Invasion--Extremely Rare!

Document signed by Edward IV, King of England (1442-1483). The king's distinctive monogram appears at the top of the first page. The document, a military checklist, is displayed to the right of Edward IV's portrait after the 1818 original line engraving by William Bromley now in the Scottish National Portrait Gallery. Matted and framed behind Plexiglas within a double-sided frame permitting a full view of the reverse side of the document. Within an antiqued frame with café au lait matting. Not examined out of frame. The margins are extensively restored, affecting various words, but not impairing the sense of the text. The document sight size is 6.25" x 5.5" while the overall frame size is 19.625" x 14.25" x .1.125".

During the summer of 1475, Edward IV approves a list of men and munitions required for his imminent invasion of France.

"…ix Cartes wt greate Gonnes…

x Masons

viii Carpenterys wt a cart wt the gyn [siege engine]

iiii whelewryghtes wt theyre cart…

Item myself a spere and x Archerys…

Item a cart wt Crossebows…"

A list of twelve names, each followed by the notation "6s 8d", is found verso. This was likely the sum promised them for their upcoming military service. Two "coler makeres" are also listed at a cost of "13s 4d" each.

In 1475, Edward IV was four years into his second reign (1471-1783). His monarchy was ensured after the neutralization of the rival House of Lancaster, achieved first by his marriage to red rose Elizabeth Woodville, then by the Battle of Tewkesbury (1471), and finally by the death of the pretender king Henry VI. Edward IV was now able to undertake the invasion of France that he had envisioned several years earlier. In 1472, Parliament had approved funds for the projects, and by 1474, a levy was renewed and increased in preparation for war.

Edward IV had sent a warning to the French King, Louis XI, prior to leaving for France, in a custom proscribed by early modern rules of chivalry. Louis XI took a measured approach in responding to Edward IV's categorical request that he relinquish his throne or prepare for war. The English army was deserted by their Burgundian allies soon after their arrival in France, and another ally, the Duke of Brittany, proved as unreliable. A peace commission was swiftly arranged. The Treaty of Picquigny negotiated in August 1475 stipulated that Edward IV would return to England in exchange for money, and that Edward's eldest daughter Elizabeth of York would marry the French dauphin, the future King Charles VIII. The peace treaty also permitted mutually beneficial free trade and would remain in place for seven years.

Autograph material by Edward IV is extremely rare. Edward IV died unexpectedly at age 40 after ruling a combined 20 years.

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

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