TWO royal documents relating to grand Herefordshire properties in the 14th and 16th centuries are expected to fetch up to £1,400 at auction next week.

An Elizabeth I letter (above left), scribed on vellum on March 15, 1582, records a grant to John Scudamore of the manors of Bury Court and Wood Court and lands at Holme Lacy.

Also on vellum is a document dated September 16, 1329, drawn up during the reign of Edward III (below left), concerning a grant of land in Hereford licensed for daily religious celebrations.

The recipient of the Elizabeth I document, expected to go under the hammer between £600 and £800, was Sir John Scudamore, standard bearer to the Pensioners and gentleman usher to Queen Elizabeth.

Royal patent

The Queen's letter is described by London auction house Phillips as a fine initial letter portrait.

The document been crafted in pen, ink and wash and shows the crowned Elizabeth in her coronation robes with the orb and sceptre.

Less ornate, and tipped to fetch up to £600, is Edward III's royal patent. The grant of land also concerns two chaplains receiving permission to say daily prayers in the chapel of St Katherine, Hereford. It has been written in a 'ceremonious court or business hand' and has been signed by the Chancery scribe, Thomas Evesham of Pershore.

The documents will be auctioned by Phillips in London on Friday, November 9.

lPrinted in the 16th century 'Calendar of Patent Rolls, Elizabeth I' is a glowing tribute to Sir John.

It reads: "The Sir John of Elizabeth's day was a friend of learning, a benefactor of Bodley's library and an intimate of its founder, who praises his sweet conversation, and a special patron of the mathematician, Thomas Allen."