Description:

(ALICE PERRERS, DAME OF WINDSOR)
(1348-1400) Royal mistress to King Edward III of England, and for a time the wealthiest woman in England before her banishment and the confiscation of her property. Very rare manuscript document, in French and in a secretarial hand on vellum, 1p. 11" x 3", London, Nov. 1 [1384], recording an arrangement in which Perrers pawns a bed and other furnishings to two men for the sum of "three hundred marks" (approx. 12,000 modern pounds sterling), to settle debts following the death of her husband Sir William Windsor. In part: "Know all men, I Alice Perrers, formerly the wife of Mr. William Wyndsore, knight, in my unsullied widowhood... having sold to friar Richard Dunton, prior of Bermondsey, & John Churchman, citizen of London, a bed with the appurtenances & all other things which the said friar Richard... has engaged to keep as ready... to sell to him in fact for me under the following condition: that is... in case I do not pay... to the said friar Richard and John... at the feast day of St. Michael next following after the given date three hundred marks sterling..." A vellum ribbon is affixed at the bottom edge, showing scant traces of a red wax seal. The document shows folds and expected soiling, else very good. Accompanying the document is a partial typed transcription and hand-written translation, as well as six pieces of correspondence, circa 1967-1968, between the former owner and British Historian F. George Kay, author of "Lady of the Sun: The Life and Times of Alice Perrers". Together they surmise that the "bed" referred to in the document refers to a much larger group of home furnishings and decorations, including rugs, furniture, kitchen tools, food stores and more, unlawfully confiscated by her husband, William Windsor, and that she intended to use the funds received in exchange for these materials to repay debts accrued during her years as Edward III''s consort. Rounding out the group is a 7pp. typed bio of Perrer and explanation of the document by the owner, as well as several facsimile images of it. A fine record of a very influential and enigmatic woman.

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December 20, 2017 10:00 AM EST
Elkton, MD, US

Alexander Historical Auctions LLC

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