Description

Description: This document, signed by Thomas Wriothesley, 4th Earl of Southampton, acknowledges the "faithful service and constant attendance of Thomas Chiffinch," keeper of the jewels, pictures, and his majesty’s closet for King Charles II. It awards Mr. Chiffinch a pension of 200 pounds paid to him or his assignors during his natural life "out of his Majesty’s Receipt of Exchequer at the four usual feasts in the years." The letter refers to the feast of St. John the Baptist of 1660, and ends with "warrant given at Southampton howse the 29th of April 1663."

Wriothesley signed the document as "T. Southampton" in a large, bold hand. The document is written on the first page of a single sheet of paper that has been folded in half. It is docketed briefly on the fourth page. It measures approximately 11 3/4" x 16 1/2" when it is unfolded. Item #A00445.

Thomas Wriothesley (1607-1667) was the fourth Earl of Southampton. He was a statesman and a supporter of King Charles II. At the time this document was written he was serving as Lord High Treasurer, a position he held from 1660 until his death in 1667.

Condition: Damp staining at two of the fold lines has faded and obscured small portions of the text, a small amount of paper loss at one of the horizontal folds, some creasing and chipping at the perimeters of the paper, which is lightly soiled and toned. The signature is bold and unaffected by any condition issues. Good condition overall.