Catalogue description Signatures by Stamp, Henry VIII

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Details of SP 4
Reference: SP 4
Title: Signatures by Stamp, Henry VIII
Description:

Monthly registers of bills, warrants and letters stamped with the dry stamp of Henry VIII's signature, submitted to the king for clearance by his real signature. The dry stamp of the king's signature was used because of Henry VIII's disinclination to sign.

The volume provided a check on possible misuse of the stamp: the king checked each register and authorised that month's use of the dry stamp by signing the register with his own hand (inking in the impression).

Date: 1545-1547
Held by: The National Archives, Kew
Legal status: Public Record(s)
Language: English
Physical description: 1 volume(s)
Access conditions: Available in digital format
Publication note:

The records are calendared in Letters and Papers Foreign and Domestic of the Reign of Henry VIII ed. J S Brewer J Gairdner and R H Brodie (London 1802-1932). Please speak to staff at the Map and Large Document Room enquiry desk for the precise location.

Administrative / biographical background:

The dry stamp was effectively a fourth royal seal from September 1545 to February 1547 to authenticate all documents previously authenticated by his sign manual. It was administered by officers of the Privy Chamber.

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