The document retains, on the original plaited cord, around three quarters of the royal seal, depicting the enthroned king with orb and sceptre on the obverse and mounted on horseback in full armour to reverse. It dates from the year in which Henry took over the government from Hubert de Burgh, Earl of Kent and Justiciar of England and Wales, who with William the Marshall had been joint Regent since the death in 1216 of his father, King John - at which time the new king was just nine years old. The document is expected to fetch around £5000-7000.
Henry III takes over the royal reins
AN October 21 sale of historical documents and letters to be held in Ludlow by Mullock Madeley includes a vellum document of 1227, witnessed by Hugh de Burgh, in which Henry III grants the right in perpetuity to hold an annual fair to the Prior and Canons of St Mary Magdelene of Combwell (on the Kent/Sussex borders).