An absolute pinnacle for collectors of royal autographs, heraldic art, and British social history. This is a spectacular, completely intact 1836 William IV Royal Licence and Grant of Arms Archive. This incredibly rare set includes both the foundational Sovereign-signed warrant and the subsequent museum-grade, hand-painted vellum scroll Letters Patent.
 
The Archive Consists of Three Primary Historical Treasures:
The Royal Document (Signed by King William IV): A large official document signed prominently at the head by the Monarch ("William R"). Dated during his final years on the throne, this document outlines a high-stakes inheritance battle involving the wealthy merchant gentry of Wakefield and Halifax, Yorkshire. It dictates that Richard Kershaw must legally change his surname to "Lamb" and adopt the family arms or face total forfeiture of a massive landed estate, explained further below.
The Letters Patent Vellum Scroll (Dated January 11, 1836): A massive, breathtakingly beautiful sheets of fine vellum. It features exquisite, hand-painted coats of arms, gold-leaf illuminated borders, and royal monograms. It formally grants a new coat of arms to William Kershaw, Esq. of Savile Green, Halifax. The scroll is signed by the legendary heralds Sir Ralph Bigland (Garter) and Edmund Lodge (Norroy).
 
The Presentation Case & Seals: Hanging from the original blue silk ribbons are two large pristine wax seals housed inside their original protective brass skippets, stamped with royal crowns. The entire archive folds perfectly into its original, custom-fitted dark morocco leather presentation trunk lined with vibrant teal paper.
 
Specifications & Condition:
Date: January 1836 (6th Year of King William IV's Reign).
 
Signatures: King William IV (William R), Sir Ralph Bigland, Edmund Lodge.
 
Geography: Halifax / Wakefield, Yorkshire, England.
 
Condition Report: Exceptional museum condition. The vellum remains bright and stiff with vibrant, un-faded pigments and intact gold leaf. The King’s signature is bold, clear, and unsmudged. The presentation box shows minor, expected exterior wear but remains structurally sound with a functional latch.
 
Collector's Note: While individual heraldic scrolls occasionally enter the market, it is exceptionally rare to find a complete "dual-archive" where the original King-signed petition has remained paired with the final vellum grant for nearly two centuries. An investment-grade showpiece for any elite library, historical collection, or gallery display.
 
The Story of the Documents
The Royal Licence (Paper/Parchment Document): Signed at the very top by King William IV ("William R" for Rex). It is addressed to the Duke of Norfolk (Earl Marshal). This letter documents a legal petition regarding an inheritance. A wealthy merchant from Wakefield, Thomas Lamb, died in 1813 and left his vast "Residuary Real Estate" (messuages, farms, lands) to trustees. Under the strict conditions of his Will, for a descendant to fully inherit and possess these lucrative estates, they were legally compelled to "take & use the surname of Lamb... and bear the Arms of Lamb Quarterly". If they refused or neglected to change their name and arms within six months, they would face a "forfeiture in the case of refusal". Because the widow (Lucy Lamb) and the mother (Hannah Kershaw) had passed away or surrendered their life interests, the petitioner, Mr. Richard Kershaw, was now succeeding to the estate and was forced to change his name to Lamb to inherit the fortune.
 
The Letters Patent Vellum Scroll (Dated 11th January 1836): This is the execution of the King's command. Once the King signed the licence, the Earl Marshal issued a warrant to the College of Arms. This beautiful, hand-illuminated document was officially created for Richard's relative, William Kershaw late of Warley House but now of Savile Green, Halifax, a prominent Yorkshire merchant. Because their armorial ensigns were not previously registered, the Kings of Arms (Sir Ralph Bigland, Garter and Edmund Lodge, Norroy) formally devised and assigned them a brand-new coat of arms.
 
Heraldic Description (Blazon)
The Shield: Argent, three Crosslets Sable, on a Chief Azure three Bezants, the center one charged with a Cross Gules. (A silver shield featuring three black crosses, topped with a blue upper band containing three gold coins, the middle coin stamped with a red cross).
 
The Crest: The Stump of an Oak eradicated and sprouting Fessways proper, thereon a Pheasant in the beak a Sprig of oak also proper. (An uprooted oak stump sprouting sideways, upon which sits a natural-coloured pheasant holding an oak sprig in its beak).
 
The case measures  56 x 15cm (22" x 5.9"), the document (excluding the seals, 64 x 50cm (25" x 19.68").
 
This item will be supplied with a transcript of both documents.