CATHERINE OF BRAGANZA (1638-1705). Queen of England, Scotland & Ireland. Consort of Charles II.
Document prepared for her seal, completed and addressed by Catherine, 1 page folio (some small tears and old repairs) 3 November 1662. The order to prepare the bill for the appointment of William Brouncker as the queen's chancellor and keeper of her great seal (according to Oxford DNB this appointment had been made 18 April of this year).

'Our will and pleasure is that you prepare a Bill for our Royall signature to passe our great seale conveying A graunt unto our R[igh]t trusty and wellbeloved [in the Queen's hand] Wm: Viscompt Brouncker of the office of Chauncellor and Keeper of our great seale together with the annuall Fee of fifty four poundes and all other Fees rights proffitts priviledges and advantages to the said office belonging for and during our pleasure in as ample and beneficiall manner as any person heretofore being Chauncellour and Keeper of the great seal to any Queene Consort of the King of England for the time being hath formerly had or enioyed and for doeing this shall bee your Warrant. Given at Whitehall [in the Queen's hand] this 3d: of 9ber 1662 in the 14th: yeare of the reigne of our dearest Lord & Husband.
 To Our Trusty & Welbeloved Wm: Mountague Esqr our Atturney Generall.'

William Brouncker, second Viscount Brouncker of Lyons (1620-1684), was not only a politician but a mathematician, musicologist and first president of the Royal Society of London. As a commissioner of the Admiralty he had a long professional relationship with Samuel Pepys, and is frequently mentioned in the Diary.
 1662 was the year of Catherine's marriage, and 21 May, to Charles II, the ceremonies (there were two - Roman Catholic and Anglican) taking place inPortsmouth. Even by this date, only six months into the marriage, strain was evident.
[No: 24324]