Letters Patent of Edward III (1347)

This is a type of royal grant called ‘letters patent’ (from the Latin verb ‘patere’, to open), as they were designed to be shown off by the grantee. In it the king confirms the granting of God’s House (a hospital in Southampton) and its revenues to the College.

The king is doing this, at Queen Philippa’s request, because many records were lost during the French invasion of Southampton. It was normal for the initial letter to be illuminated, and this is probably a representation of Philippa.