THE QUEEN GRANTS A CONDITIONAL PARDON VICTORIA (1819-1901, Queen of Great Britain)

Fine Early document signed at the head giving a Conditional Pardon to William Mayes and Thomas Russell who "were at the Goal Delivery holden in and for the County of Northampton on the 3rd day of March Instant, convicted of cutting and wounding and Sentenced to be Transported Fifteen Years ... We in Consideration of some circumstances humbly represented unto Us are graciously pleased to extend Our Grace and Mercy unto them, and to Grant them Our Pardon for their said Crimes, on Condition that they be Transported beyond the Seas for the term of Seven years, to be Computed from the said 3rd day of March ..." countersigned by the High Sheriff, 2 sides folio with papered seal, Court at St James's, 15th March

Signed in the Eighth year of her long reign at a difficult time. In 1845, Ireland was hit by a potato blight. In the next four years, over a million Irish people died and another million emigrated in what became known as the Irish Potato Famine. In Ireland, Victoria was labelled "The Famine Queen". She personally donated £2,000 (equivalent to about £2.57 million in 2016 terms) to the British Relief Association, more than any other individual famine relief donor, and also supported the Maynooth Grant to a Roman Catholic seminary in Ireland, despite Protestant opposition.

Item Date:  1845

Stock No:  39365      £475

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