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The History Sale 2015
www.adams.ie215
CANVAS BOUND PORTFOLIO PUT TOGETHER IN 1920 THAT CONTAINS EIGHTEEN PROCLAMATIONS AND DECLARATIONS
WHICH COVER THE REIGN OF JAMES II FROM HIS ACCESSION IN 1685 TO THE EVE OF WILLIAM OF ORANGE’S INVASION
LANDING AT TORBAY THAT LED TO JAMES’S DEPOSITION, COMPRISING:
- ENGLAND: Privy Council etc: Announcing the death of Charles II and proclaiming that “the imperial crowns of England, Scotland, France and Ireland are solely
and rightfully come to the high and mighty prince James, Duke of York and Albany, his said late Majesties only brother and heir … to whom we do acknowledge
all faith and constant obedience, with all hearty and humble affection: Beseeching God by whom Kings do reign, to bless the Royal King James The Second with
long and happy years to reign over us.” London: 1684/85. Broadside.
Wing E 2922. Steele (Eng) 3764-66. Sweeney 3986.1 A fine copy. Dated February 6th.
- JAMES II. A proclamation declaring His Majesties pleasure touching his Royal Coronation and the solemnity thereof - London: 1684/85. Wing J 325. Steele
3787-89. Broadside.
The Coronation was set to take place on St George’s Day, i.e. April 23rd. Commissioners were named to hear the various petitions and claims of those with ser-
vices “to be done and performed unto us at the said Coronation”. Sweeney (Eng) 3990.1 A fine copy. Dated March 6th.
- JAMES II. A proclamation of the Kings Majesties most Gracious and General Pardon - London: 1685/86. 3 folio sheets. Wing J 363. Steele (Eng) 3828-29.
Broadside. ESTC R223023with 4 locations only in UK. Very rare.
The preamble begins as follows: “Whereas soon after our Coronation, we had given order for preparing of a Bill, containing our most Gracious and General and
free Pardon to our loving subjects, with intention to have passed the same into an Act in the first session of our parliament, but were unhappily prevented there-
in by the late most unnatural rebellion; which since it hath pleased Almighty God by his blessing upon our Arms, to suppress, we have thought fit to renew our
Princely Intentions of Grace and Mercy to our subjects, especially considering the stedfast loyalty of the far greater number of our subjects, who continued firm
in their obedience to us notwithstanding that rebellion.”. Sweeney 4008 quoting the Dublin printing. A fine copy. Bound in at the place it would have occupied
had the King been able to issue it the previous year. Dated Sweeney 3399. March 10th 1685/86.
- JAMES II. A Proclamation - London: 1685. Wing J 246. Steele (Eng) 3809-11. Broadside. COPAC locates the Oxford copy only. Utmost rarity.
Henry Booth, Lord Delamere had been ordered to “enter into security … for keeping of the peace” but had failed to do so and having absconded “hath given
us good cause to suspect his fidelity towards us”. He was given ten days in which to surrender himself but when put on trial by the House of Lords for alleged
participation in the Monmouth Rebellion he was acquitted. His true allegiance became clear when he was appointed first Chancellor of the Exchequer (1689-90)
under William III. Sweeney 4000.1 A fine copy. Dated July 19th.
- JAMES II. A Proclamation - London: 1685. Wing J 247. Steele (Eng) 3811. Broadside. No copy located on COPAC. Utmost rarity.
A warrant charging him with High Treason had been issued for Charles Gilbert, Earl of Macclesfield, a supporter of the Monmouth Rebellion. However the Earl
“is since fled from justice and does now lie concealed”. He had however already fled to the Continent and only returned with the command of William III’s body-
guard in 1688. The family fortune had originated with his great-grandfather Sir Gerard Gilbert, Elizabeth’s first Attorney General, who in 1560 drew up a reform of
the Irish Exchequer Court. This explains why the Macclesfield Library proved so rich in Irish material when auctioned in 2006/07. Sweeney 4003.1. A very good
copy. Dated September 7th.
- JAMES II. A Proclamation for the meeting of the Parliament - London: 1685. Broadside.
Wing J 354. Steele (Eng) 3822-23.
The King had authorized various adjournments but now called for Parliament to meet on Monday November 9th the members being advised to assemble “as
they will avoid our royal displeasure.” It was however to be a short lived session for after ten days James prorogued Parliament because of opposition in the
House of Lords. Sweeney 4003.2. A fine copy. Dated October 11th.
- KING IN COUNCIL. [A Proclamation] - London: 1685. Wing E 799. Steele (Eng) 3824. Broadside.
Arising out of anti-catholic riots on Guy Fawkes Day (November 5th), the King with members of the Privy Council that included the Duke of Ormond met the
following day and ordered “that no person or persons whatsoever, do presume to make or encourage the making any bon-fires, or other publick fire-works at or
upon any festival day, or at any other time or times whatsoever without particular permission”. Sweeney 4004.1. A fine copy. Dated November 6th.
(Continued overleaf)