A FINE AND RARE 16TH CENTURY ILLUMINATED GRANT OF ARMS SIGNED AND SEALED BY CHRISTOPHER BARKER GARTE

A FINE AND RARE 16TH CENTURY ILLUMINATED GRANT OF ARMS SIGNED AND SEALED BY CHRISTOPHER BARKER GARTER PRINCIPAL KING OF ARMS TO KING HENRY VIII written in English on vellum in brown ink in a clear and legible hand, to Gregory Stonyng of Lichfelde (Lichfield, Staffordshire), dated 21st November 1544 in the 36th year of the reign of Henry VIII. The document has a fine illuminated floral border on three sides, heightened in gold and silver (the silver now oxidised to near-black), the left border with the elaborately painted coat of arms of Stonyng, the upper border with two gilded fleur-de-lys flanking a central emblem incorporating the Tudor rose with gilt crown above and motto HONI SOIT QUI MAL Y PENSE in gold on a blue ribbon. Signed by Barker to the lower right, with two red wax seals representing the arms of Barker and of his office, seals in original wood skippet bases (skippet lids now missing). There is a fine 12-line illuminated capital within which is a standing figure, (Barker as Garter?) wearing quartered robes emblazoned with lion and fleur-de-lys emblems, his left hand pointing up towards the beginning of the text, his right hand pointing downwards to the Stonyng coat of arms. Slight browning to two document folds, otherwise in extremely good condition for its age. The vellum seal tags have been tacked in position for display purposes and the document is mounted on card. Document measures 20 x 13 inches, within a larger glazed frame. The grounds and remaining buildings of the Franciscan Friory at Lichfield (dissolved and demolished in 1538) were sold to Gregory Stonyng - who was Master of the Lichfield St Mary's Guild - in 1544, the same year as this document