Description
to sublet to Thomas Fyncher and Richard Fyncher the Manor of Shelve alias Shelbe formerly belonging to the collegiate church and college of Westbury [on Trym] in the County of Gloucester, now dissolved. Written in Latin on a single oblong folio leaf of vellum with calligraphic introduction, one small hole in fold to left hand edge, not affecting text, slight dusting, but otherwise in fine condition, 21 x 34cms.
Footnote
Note: Exceptionally rare document of Edward VI.
An historic document involving the Tudor Boy King, son and heir of Henry VIII and Jane Seymour and one of the most glamorous and important figures of the mid Tudor period. The document also lists a number of closes and pastures by name as well as the watermill at Shelve, making this an important primary local historical source.
The area covered by this document is the modern day Shelsey Walsh area which lies in the Teme Valley to the West of the City of Worcester and east of Tenbury Wells. Documents of Edward VI are of the greatest rarity due to his very short reign. He was just nine when he succeeded his father Henry VIII and died at the age of 15.
Sir Ralph Sadlier [or Sadler] (1507-87) was a most important diplomatist closely involved in the relationships with Scotland and the intrigues and plots by the Spanish and French to attack England via Scotland in order to bring about a Catholic supremacy.
He was a protégé of Thomas Cromwell, was Gentleman of the Bedchamber to Henry VIII and one of the Council of Twelve, which effectively governed the country on the accession of Edward VI. At the Battle of Pinkie Clough in 1547 he was made a Knight Banneret on the field for his gallantry in rallying the English cavalry after their repulse by the Scottish. He was granted the Manor of Shelbe as a reward for this action.
In later life he was one of the three Commissioners sent to York to enquire into the matter of Mary Queen of Scots and the infamous 'Casket Letters' which incriminated her. It was Sadlier who sent a précis of the letters to Lord Burghleigh. Eventually he became gaoler to Mary Queen of Scots at Wingfield, and his last employment on matters of state was a mission to James VI of Scotland (later James I of England) to reconcile him to the execution of his mother.