Details

COLEM:2002.174

Colchester Collections

document, charter

King Henry V Colchester Charter

This charter was issued on 7th July 1413 by the new king, Henry V, in response to a request for a renewal of the charter first granted by Richard I in 1189. The document grants and protects the rights of the borough to a certain degree of self-government and to generate wealth. In particular Colchester is exempted from various taxes and customs dues. The charter is decorated with an elaborate illuminated initial, enclosing St Helena and the arms of the town. The arms make reference to the town's roman past and show that the townspeople were proud and knowledgeable of Colchester’s long history.Colchester was one of the most important towns in medieval England and the surviving royal charters, issued by a series of monarchs, reveal how it gained rights and privileges allowing the town to prosper. Colchester Museums curate 17 historic charters, the earliest dating to 1364 issued by king Edward III.

London

1413

Medieval

St Helen was born in Colchester. She was the mother of Constantine, and Helen found the Holy Cross

parchment, ink, gold leaf, linen

height: 460.00 mm
width: 700.00 mm

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