JAMES I and VI (1566-1625, from 1603 King of Great Britain)

Superb Letter Signed 'James R' at the head to Sir Oliver ST JOHN, (1st Viscount Grandison, 1559-1630, Soldier and Politician, Lord Deputy of Ireland) appointing Robert Gosnold to the first company of horse or foot that should become vacant, as a reward for his services, and specifying that this should take precedence over any other appointments made since the original grant, excepting that of Captain Arthur Blundell to the company of Sir Francis Roe (MP for Tyrone and Mayor of Drogheda), which should stand, 2 sides folio with contemporary endorsements on the verso, "Captn Gosnold / The Next Company" and the address to Sir Oliver St John, Westminster, 11th November

The British Library holds a warrant signed by James I directing St John to admit Sir Thomas Philips and Robert Gosnold as captains of foot, 20th July 1620 (MS Eg 2,126, f.6). Gosnold, born around 1560, was also granted 1000 acres in Ossory, southwest Leinster, although his grandson was later to complain that this had been taken away from him without compensation: it being perhaps in connection with this that the present letter has been inscribed at the foot "Ext.r p Blundell", the signatory in question possibly being Francis Blundell of Cork, Clerk to the Commission for the Remedy of Defective Titles in Ireland. Gosnold appears to have died intestate at Lifford, Co. Donegal, in 1636 (see Calendar of State Papers Ireland and other sources, cited by the Rootsweb World Connect Project).
James VI and I was King of Scotland as James VI from 24th July 1567 and King of England and Ireland as James I from the union of the Scottish and English crowns on 24th March 1603 until his death in 1625. The kingdoms of Scotland and England were individual sovereign states, with their own parliaments, judiciaries, and laws, though both were ruled by James in personal union.

Item Date:  1618

Stock No:  41292