The Charter of Creation and Ennoblement
James, by the Grace of God, King of England, Scotland, France and Ireland, Defender of the Faith, &c., To all to whom these Presents shall come, Greeting.
Whereas our faithful and loving subject, our loyal Duke, hath demonstrated great service unto us and our Crown, and hath sought to further the honour of our realm and the advancement of our subjects in the newly discovered lands beyond the seas, We do hereby, of our especial grace, certain knowledge and mere motion, grant, create, and declare him Earl of New England, with all dignities, privileges and honours appertaining thereto.
Moreover, We do grant unto our said Earl the full, free, and absolute right, title, and interest in perpetuity to all lands and territories thus bestowed upon him within the bounds of New England, to hold, occupy, and govern as a lord paramount under Our Crown, with full power and authority to raise a township and establish settlements therein for the furtherance of Our realm and the profit of Our subjects.
To this end, We do further grant unto Our said Earl the sum of one million pounds sterling, to be paid and bestowed to him for the support of this noble undertaking.
And for the defence, order, and security of said plantation and township, We do command and empower Our said Earl to levy and maintain a gallant force of men, to be raised and equipped at Our charge, sufficient in number and armament to defend Our interests and maintain the peace against all enemies, foreign and domestic.
In witness whereof, We have caused these Our Letters Patents to be made patents, witnessed Ourself at Westminster, this tenth day of April, in the eighth year of Our reign.
By His Majesty’s command,
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