Queen Mary I and Philip of Spain, letter signed by both, 20 April 1555

Property of the Marquess of Anglesey

QUEEN MARY I AND PHILIP OF SPAIN

Letter signed by both, at the head (“Philipp R ” and “Marye the quene”), to Lord Paget

warning that “the tyme of the yeye draweth fast on wherein stirres & tumultes have of late yeres commonly byn wont to break furth”, ordering Paget to muster men and ensure they “be furnished with armour, weapons and other necessaries” in readiness for any unrest, 2 pages, folio, integral address leaf, Hampton Court, 20 April 1555, remains of wax seal

A RARE LETTER SIGNED BY BOTH MARY I AND PHILIP OF SPAIN. The mid-Tudor period saw a succession of rebellions and unrests, fermented by religious divisions, weak government, and economic crisis. Furthermore, Queen Mary was widely thought to be pregnant and nearing term: the birth of a child – which would have secured both a Catholic succession and England’s integration into the Habsburg empire – could itself have triggered rebellion. In fact the Queen was suffering a phantom pregnancy, and 1555 passed without any significant unrest.

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