Add MS 36271 A

A letter of King Charles I to "Morathan", i.e. Murad IV, Sultan of Turkey, 20 Feb 1629[/30]. King Charles complains of the ill-treatment of English merchants and accredits John Wainsford (i.e Wandesford) to co-operate with Sir Peter Wych, the English Ambassador at Constantinople, in obtaining redress. Signed by the King. Parchment, with illuminated borders and initial "C", recto, and around the address, verso. The first line of the letter is in large script in gold leaf; the rest of the line in capital letters in gold leaf against a decorative blue background (‘harles by the grace’). Verso, the same combination of capital letters in gold leaf against a blue background is used for the address (‘To the’). Gold ink is used for part of the date at the end of the letter, ‘Lord God 1629’, and for Morathan’s name in the address. In the address, gold leaf in dots against black ink is used for the capital letters.

Instructions of the Levant Company to Peter Wandesford, to fulfil this mission before proceeding to become consul at Aleppo (The National Archives, SP 97/15, ff. 29r-31v) fill out the story of the mission and reveal that as well as the original letter there were two copies. Wandesford was still in England when the instructions were made on 12 Apr 1630. On his arrival in Constantinople he was to address himself to Sir Peter Wych and acquaint him with the cause of his coming ‘and with the contents of his Majesties letter the Originall wherof togeather with a Coppy yow shall receive herewith as also on other copy to his Lordship, then yow are to consider and advise with him of the fittest tyme and manner of presenting the Kings letter to the Grand Senior’. At the delivery of the letter he was earnestly to press the injuries done to the Levant Company by the Grand Senior’s ministers and to demand restitution for wrongs as according to the letter, and in ‘his Majesties name to crave a speedy and resolute answere’.

Recto: The letter.

Verso: The address: ‘To the most high and mightie Emperour, Sultan Morathan, Cheefe Lord & Commander of the Musulman Kingdome, Sole and Supreame Monarck of the Eastern Empire; Ect.’