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Queen Elizabeth I LS

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles Start Price:1,000.00 USD Estimated At:NA
Queen Elizabeth I LS
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Historically important and scare letter signed by the legendary Queen Elizabeth I of England regarding Tyrone's Rebellion, the largest war fought during Queen Elizabeth's reign. Written from the Palace of Westminster on 1 December 1600, Elizabeth writes to her chief military commander (and her cousin), Lord High Admiral Charles Howard, who commanded English ships during the Invincible Spanish Armada attack in 1588. Here, Elizabeth reports that the English have been so successful during the summer of 1600 that the pressure on her treasury and on the taxes against the citizens will be minimal. Instead, a levy for a small number of fighting men will suffice. In the county of Surrey, merely 15 men will be needed: ''Right trustie & wellbeloved Cousin & Counsaylor…it is well knowen to the world that we have very largely exhausted o[u]re own treasure and often putt our loving subjectes to the charge of Levyes for suppressing of the rebellion in Ireland…now that it hath pleased God to blesse us in this summer service with so good success against those unnatural rebels, as we do now perceave that the corces already taken shall be put for a tyme well followed, we shall neyther be forced to trouble our people extraordinarily, not so much spend o[u]r owne treasure hereafter…[we have] so proportioned the numbers as we doo now recommend you only to levye within our countie of Surrey the number of fifteene men.'' Tyrone's Rebellion took place in Ireland from 1594 until 1603, fought between the forces of Gaelic Irish chieftains Hugh O'Neill, the Earl of Tyrone and Hugh Roe O'Donnell, against English rule in Ireland. It ended in defeat for the Irish chieftains, but not until the death toll reached 100,000 Irish and 30,000 English. Letter is in very good condition, even near fine considering age; two holes measuring approximately 1'' across have been repaired, one affecting the ''b'' in the signature, and the other a few words at the end of the text. Letter measures 11.75'' x 7.5'', written on front side only. Address leaf detached but present, measuring 5'' x 11.75''. A wonderful letter by the celebrated, even mythical Queen of England, daughter of Anne Boleyn and Henry VIII, with fine content regarding the still ongoing struggle between England and Ireland.