KING CHARLES II (GREAT BRITAIN) - MANUSCRIPT DOCUMENT SIGNED 03/22/1676 CO-SIGNED BY: THOMAS "FIRST EARL OF DANBY" OSBORNE - HFSID 43160

KING CHARLES II (ENGLAND)
As King he orders payment of £20 to Hugh Browne, countersigned by Lord Danby as Lord High Treasurer. Danby would soon land in the Tower of London, charged with corruption and abuse of office.
Manuscript Document signed: "Charles R" as King of England and "Danby" as Lord High Treasurer, 1 page, 9x11¾. Wallingford House (London), 1876 March 22. The King orders payment of £20 to Hugh Bane, former Provost of Strabane in Ireland. CHARLES II (1632-1712) claimed the English throne after the execution of his father, Charles I in 1649.  The Scottish Parliament recognized his kingship, but that of England did not. Defeated by Oliver Cromwell on the battlefield, he fled to France in 1651. He was returned to the throne in 1660, although Charles dated his monarchy from 1649. Charles II's reign is known as The Restoration, and he was called the Merrie Monarch. He presided over a nation grateful for a return to normalcy after the conflict and puritanism of the Cromwell's Commonwealth. While executing some of those who had sanctioned the execution of his father, Charles II was careful not to make sweeping claims of absolute monarchy. He died with no legitimate children, and was succeeded by his brother, James II, who did try to rule as an absolute monarch (and a Catholic) and was overthrown after three years. THOMAS OSBORNE (1632-1712) was made First Earl of Danby in 1874. From that year until 1878, he was Charles II's Lord High Treasurer, the functional equivalent of a modern Prime Minister. A champion of royal authority, Osborne strongly supported the Church of England and opposed to toleration of either Puritans or Catholics. Impeached by Parliament and abandoned by Charles II, he was imprisoned in the Tower of London from 1679 until 1684, charged with corruption and with abuse of power. Released by James II, he regained some influence during the reigns of William III (as an advisor to Queen Mary) and Queen Anne. He was made the Duke of Leeds in 1694. Wallingford House, the London residence of the Duke of Buckingham, was infamous for the political intrigues which took place there. Multiple mailing folds. Creased and toned. Corners worn and torn. Multiple notches at left and right edges. Soiled spots throughout document. Paper tape on verso. Otherwise, fine condition.