Henry VI. King's Pardon issued to William Bulkeley in Eyton [Eaton], Cheshire, for "trespasses felonies and all offence" in the Marches of Wales, Westminster, 10th February 1458.

Henry VI (King of England and Lord of Ireland, and Duke of Aquitaine, 1421-71) King's Pardon issued to William Bulkeley in Eyton [Eaton], Cheshire, for "trespasses felonies and all offence" in the Marches of Wales, [docket on verso], manuscript in Latin, on vellum, in a fine Chancery hand, 33 lines, calligraphic initials at head, large remains of Great Seal, white wax seal, loss of right quarter of seal, also loss to tail and cracked, document 2 small wormholes in lower margin, creased, slightly browned, 212 X 420mm., Westminster, 10th February 1458.

⁂ A royal pardon issued at the height of the Wars of the Roses and just over a month before the famous Loveday reconciliation between the factions of Lancaster and York. The Loveday of March 1548 was Henry VI's last major intervention in politics before he lapsed into feebleness, and the subsequent dominance of Queen Margaret. The ceremony had been preceded by weeks of intense negotiation between the parties and it is probable that this pardon was issued as part of the peace process. The Bulkeley's were Lancastrian officers and were dominant in Cheshire and north Wales. One William Bulkeley was part of the king's officers charged with arresting Richard, Duke of York when he returned from Ireland and landed in north Wales.

Pardoning all felonies, rebellion, negligence, extortion, concealments and any consequent outlawries etc.