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QUEEN CAROLINE, [Wilhelmina Charlotte Caroline] Guardian of the Kingdom of Great Britain, Consort to George II : JUNE 26, 1727 A MERE FIFTEEN DAYS AFTER THE DEATH OF HER FATHER IN LAW KING GEORGE I CAROLINE OF ANSBACH EXERTS HER NEW AUTHORITY

8vo - over 7¾" - 9¾" tall. On offer is an exceptional rare ancient document with an original handwritten signature of Queen Caroline of Ansbach, consort to King George II; partial document with a very nice, large, 5 inch signature of the Queen across the top. Document cut is 8 x 8 inches, repairs lower left, else a scarce signature. Caroline of Ansbach (later Queen Caroline; Wilhelmina Charlotte Caroline; 1 March 1683 - 20 November 1737) was the Queen Consort of George II. Caroline's mind far outstripped George's. As a young woman, she corresponded with Gottfried Leibniz, the intellectual colossus who was courtier and factotum to the House of Hanover. She also helped initiate The Leibniz-Clarke Correspondence, arguably the most important of all 18th-century philosophy of physics discussions, which is still widely read. Caroline became Queen on the death of her father-in-law in 1727 on June 11 - this document is penned a mere 15 days later. This letter, to paraphrase, is a demand from the newly minted Guardian of the Kingdom instructing them to service and payment as if by order of the King. In the course of the next few years, she and her husband fought a constant battle against their eldest son, Frederick, Prince of Wales, who had been left behind in Germany when they came to England. Queen Caroline held a powerful position; she was made Guardian of the Kingdom of Great Britain, and His Majesty's Lieutenant within the same during His Majesty's absence, thus acting as regent when her husband was in Hanover. It is also worth noting that she was co-heiress to Sayn-Altenkirchen through her mother, whose mother Johanette reigned as Countess of Sayn-Wittgenstein-Sayn-Altenkirchen, but ultimately never inherited it. She died of complications following a rupture of the womb on 20 November 1737, and was buried at Westminster Abbey. Handel composed an elaborate 10-section anthem for the occasion, "The Ways of Zion do Mourn; Funeral Anthem for Queen Caroline". The King had arranged for a pair of matching coffins with removable sides, so that when he followed her to the grave (twenty-three years later), they could lie together again.. Book Condition: Very Good. Binding: Manuscript

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