QUEEN VICTORIA (GREAT BRITAIN) - MILITARY APPOINTMENT SIGNED 10/10/1885 CO-SIGNED BY: EDWARD STANHOPE - HFSID 178687

QUEEN VICTORIA
Her appointment of a lieutenant in the volunteer forces, also signed by Secretary of War Edward Stanhope
Military Appointment signed: "Victoria R.I" as Queen of the United Kingdom and Empress of India. Also, "Edward Stanhope". 1 page, 16x12. St. James Court, London, England. 1885 October 10. Appointment of "William Fraser Gentlemen"as Lieutenant of "Our Volunteer Forces", effective October 17. 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. EDWARD STANHOPE (1840-1893), a Conservative Member of Parliament from 1874. Served as Secretary of State for the Colonies (1886-1887) and Secretary of State for War (1887-1892). Despite his own lack of military experience, he had some success in introducing reforms despite the opposition of a tradition-bound military establishment led by the army's commander in chief, the Duke of Cambridge. Creased from folds. Toned. Lightly soiled. Otherwise, fine condition.