QUEEN VICTORIA (GREAT BRITAIN) - MANUSCRIPT DOCUMENT SIGNED 07/27/1867 CO-SIGNED BY: GATHORNE (EARL OF CRANBROOK I) HARDY - HFSID 67770

QUEEN VICTORIA
Her Majesty grants one of her legal counselors "License to Plead", in defense of a local vicar sued for libel. Also signed by Gathorne Hardy as Home Secretary.
Manuscript Document signed: "Victoria Reg", 2 pages (integral leaf, front and verso), 8x13. Also signed "Gathorne Hardy". Court at St James, 1867 July 27. Paper seal affixed in left margin.The Queen approves a petition from James O'Neil, Clerk and Vicar of Luton in the County of Bedford, to give leave to David Deady Keane, one of her Legal Counselors, to represent O'Neil in a pending libel suit. QUEEN VICTORIA (1819-1901) ascended to the throne on June 20, 1837 (her coronation ceremony was held the following year). She ruled the United Kingdom longer than any other monarch before or since, although Queen Elizabeth II, crowned in 1953, may best that record. Victoria's 63-year reign (1837 until her death in 1901) endeared her to her subjects, and she gave her name to an era, the Victorian Age. Her husband, Prince Albert, whom she married in 1840, was an able political figure himself, the Queen's close advisor until his death in 1861. The royal pair had nine children - four sons and five daughters. Victoria's reign was celebrated with two jubilees, honoring her 50 and 60 years on the throne. Britain was the world's greatest power during her reign, and she became Empress of India in 1877. By the time of her death, most of Europe's thrones were occupied by blood relatives of Victoria. GATHORNE HARDY (1814-1906), who became Viscount Cranbrook in 1878 and the 2nd EARL OF CRANBROOK in 1892, entered Parliament in 1856 and served in every Conservative government from 1858 to 1892. His standing in the Party was enhanced when he defeated future Prime Minister William Gladstone in his Oxford University constituency in 1865. He important posts included Home Secretary (1861-1868) and War Secretary (1874-1878). Multiple folds. Toned corners lightly worn and creased. Surface creases. Pencil notes (unknown hand). Faint stain on bottom right margin of first page. Otherwise, fine condition.