CHARLTON (John, Surveyor of the Ordnance, 1689-1702), William BOULTER (Assistant Surveyor, 1689-1702), Thomas GARDINER (d. 1691, from 1685 Storekeeper), Christopher MUSGRAVE (Clerk of Deliveries, 1689-1696, Ordnance Clerk, 1696-1714) and Charles MYDDELTON

Attractive Document Signed by the above Officers of the Ordnance, to the Hon. Charles BERTIE (Ordnance Treasurer, 1681-1699 and 1702-1705), desiring him "Out of ... their Ma[ies]ties Treasure", William III & Mary II's, "Upon the Ordnary Acc[oun]t of Land and Seaservice ... to Pay to George Browne One Debenture Dated 28 January 1689 for the Summe of 15l: 15s: ... Your most affectionate Friends", 1 side folio, short title on conjugate leaf, Office of Ordnance, 27th February 1689, modern year reckoning small defects in blank top left corner and in blank portion of conjugate leaf near vertical fold

The Ordnance Office, finally abolished in 1855, was founded in Tudor times for the Defence of the Realm. It was responsible for the nation's artillery, military engineering including fortifications, and supplies including ammunition. Though the Master of the Ordnance was usually a distinguished soldier, the Office reported to the Crown, not the Commander in Chief, and within the Civil Service grew to be second in size only to the Treasury. The Surveyor in particular had to see that fortifications were in order or to design new ones. At this time their chief was Frederick, 1st Duke of Schomberg, (Master, 18th April 1689, died 1st July 1690), who was campaigning in Ireland.

Item Date:  1690

Stock No:  56531      £475

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