Sir George Pretyman Petition to Charles II – Original Handwritten 1600's Manuscript Copy

This handwritten manuscript copy records a petition attributed to Sir George Pretyman addressed to King Charles II. The text recounts Pretyman's service to the royal cause, financial sacrifices, imprisonment, and hardship in old age, culminating in an appeal for royal assistance.

The petition describes involvement with Sir John Mordaunt in 1650, confinement at Lambeth House, and dealings involving royal supporters and members of the court. A heading characterizes Pretyman as one of Charles II's neglected adherents, afflicted by old age and poverty. Near the conclusion, the copy includes the notation "Signed Geo Pretyman."

Offered as a handwritten copy of a historical petition, not as an authenticated original petition or an original autograph of Sir George Pretyman or Charles II. The date, copyist, and archival origin of this physical manuscript have not been established.

The unfolded sheet presents two pages of writing, with additional commentary beneath the petition's conclusion. Visible condition includes paper toning, horizontal and vertical folds, edge wear, small tears, and areas of loss along the edges. Writing is visible through the reverse. Please review all photographs for condition and the ruler image for approximate dimensions.

This is a close word for word interpretation of the manuscript:

"Sir George Pretyman's services to the Crown contained in his Petition for assistance one of King Charles II neglected adherents, in old age and great poverty & distress

Petition to Charles II (his second petition) of Sir George Pretyman stating amongst many other things that in 1655 he was engaged with John Mordaunt Esq. afterwards Lord Mordaunt and many others, to seize the Guards at Whitehall and at St. Paul's Church which was then a garrison and the Tower, whilst others that were to rise in several places and parts of the Kingdom, but discovery the night before causing the petitioner and many of his companions to be lodged close prisoners to Lambeth House from whence Major Holmes and your petitioner effected their escape.— Your petitioner was sent over with £2000— £1500 to deliver to his Maj'ty King Charles II which he did, being introduced by Lord Chancellor Hyde, and the other £500 by Capt'n Mew, afterwards Lord Bishop of Winchester went with your petitioner to Breda where H.R.H. the Duke of York then was, to whom your petitioner presented the said £500 and then returned back to Brussels stopping there and at Antwerp nearly twelve months. Your petitioner was sent back to England by his Maj'ty's orders with dispatches of great importance. on his being then in England a relation of his died bequeathing to your petitioner 1500 broad pieces in Gold a considerable sum in Silver and an Estate in Suffolk of £300 per Ann: when your petitioner subsequently returned back to Brussels and presented his Majesty with 1200 broad pieces in Gold being introduced by His Grace the Duke of Ormond and the other 300 pieces to the Duke of York then at Brussels. Your petitioner's brother died in 1657 leaving £1000 legacy to his majesty and £200 to Lord Chancellor Hyde. In the Year 1658 he the petitioner sold his Estate for £6000 giving £1000 to his Maj'ty and £500 to the Duke of York

being introduced by his Grace the Duke of Ormond. By these great services of his own besides what your petitioner's Father suffered for the Crown by Decimations, Sequestrations, compositions and other plunderings, and frequent imprisonment, vast debts were contracted and very great encumbrances were left on the Estate which with other considerable losses have utterly ruined your petitioner now in the 80th year of his age, very sickly weak & infirm—very much afflicted with gout, stone and gravel and unable to act for himself in any business capacity and is reduced to the utmost degree of poverty, want & misery, half starved with hunger and cold having not to cover him against the ruggedness of the weather destitute of all manner of necessaries to support human nature, withal having outlived most of his old friends & acquaintance, and without money or credit, hereby his life is become very uneasy and his sufferings no longer tolerable and every minute expects to be close confined to beg at a grate. Your Petitioner therefore in consideration of these his services and those more than contained in his former Petitions most humbly throws himself prostrate at your most Sacred Maj'ties feet, humbly imploring your Maj'ties gracious favor and merciful compassion towards him &c &c &c

signed "Geo. Pretyman"

That your petitioner has set forth in his former Petition that he had raised 100 men & house with all accoutrements at his own charge & gave to every man 20 shillings in his pocket."

Provenance

This listing comes from a large autograph collection that was assembled primarily during the early years of online autograph trading, with many pieces originally purchased from reputable eBay sellers of the time. The collection was stored in boxes for approximately 10–20+ years before being acquired and sorted. Because of the long storage period and the era in which these items were obtained, many signatures represent earlier or vintage examples of the signer's autograph style. The collection includes a mix of items with original Certificates of Authenticity as well as pieces acquired without paperwork, which is typical of collections built during that period. Any available documentation, purchase notes, or COAs will be included when known. Each item has been individually reviewed and is being offered as part of this larger vintage assortment.

For this item specifically, its inclusion in that collection does not establish an original autograph or a period date.