A 13-page handwritten document in sepia ink recounts, over four centuries later, one of the foundational moments of English colonization in North America. It is the land grant contract of Sir Humphrey Gilbert, dated June 6, 1582, which awarded the English explorer a substantial 1,500,000 acres of land for discovery and settlement in certain parts of America.
Key Points
- The contract is dated June 6, 1582, during the reign of Elizabeth I.
- It grants Sir Humphrey Gilbert 1,500,000 acres of land for the colonization of North America.
- The document is titled Articles tripartite Indented of Agreement and signed in full by Gilbert and Sir George Peckham.
- It consists of 13 quarto-sized pages, written only on the recto in chancery hand with sepia ink.
- It contains annotations and corrections likely attributed to Gilbert, along with a comment by Thomas Harris.
The 1582 Contract for Settlement in North America
The official title of the document is Articles tripartite Indented of Agreement. The heading of the first page bears the full date, referring to the twenty-fourth year of the reign of “our Sovereign Lady Elizabeth,” thus precisely placing the text in 1582. The subject is explicit from the outset: the grant concerns the “discovery and habitation of certain parts of America.”
The manuscript comprises 13 quarto-sized pages, not bound but joined at the top. The writing, penned only on the recto of each sheet, follows the typical chancery hand of the Elizabethan era, with sepia-colored ink still legible. An internal note certifies the count of the sheets: “there are in this book thirteen sheets in total.”
Authorized Territories and Purpose
The territorial grant was of extraordinary scope: 1,500,000 acres allocated to Gilbert to initiate discovery and colonization in North America. An additional note in the document specifies that the agreement also concerned the islands. Essentially, it was a legal instrument that translated into contractual terms the expansionist ambitions of Elizabethan England across the Atlantic.
The Signatories: Gilbert, Peckham, and Autograph Corrections
The document is signed in full by Sir Humphrey Gilbert and Sir George Peckham. Gilbert also affixed his initials at the bottom of each sheet, demonstrating direct and attentive participation in drafting the text. The numerous revisions and corrections throughout the manuscript are likely attributed to his own hand.
Alongside the signatures, a note by Thomas Harris stands out, stating: “I consider this very well done and in accordance with the true meaning.” An approval judgment that gives the document an additional level of contemporary validation.
Physical Characteristics and Condition
The manuscript shows signs of time consistent with its age: some stains and occasional smudges, general wear of the sheets. Nothing that compromises overall legibility. On the verso of the last sheet appears the term “engrossed” — a technical term indicating the fair copy drafting of a deed — along with a modern stamp.
These physical details are not mere antiquarian curiosities. They contribute to establishing the material authenticity of the document and placing it within the notarial and administrative practice of late sixteenth-century England. A contract of this nature, with autograph signatures, corrections, and contemporary annotations, represents a primary source of exceptional value for the history of North American colonization.
The fact that Gilbert signed each individual sheet suggests how binding and strategically significant the agreement was considered. The following year, in 1583, Gilbert would lead the expedition to Newfoundland — the first formal claim of North American territory by the English Crown. That journey, and its tragic conclusion with the explorer’s death at sea, make this 1582 contract more than just an administrative act: it is the document that precedes and partly prepares that season of expansion.
FAQ
What was the purpose of the 1582 contract concerning Sir Humphrey Gilbert?
The contract authorized Sir Humphrey Gilbert to discover and colonize certain parts of America, assigning him 1,500,000 acres of land for this purpose.
Who signed the Articles tripartite Indented of Agreement of 1582?
The document was signed in full by Sir Humphrey Gilbert and Sir George Peckham. Gilbert also affixed his initials at the bottom of each sheet.
What are the physical characteristics of the 1582 land grant document?
The manuscript consists of 13 quarto-sized pages, not bound but joined at the top, written only on the recto in chancery hand with sepia ink. It shows signs of wear and some stains consistent with its age.
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As expert in digital marketing, Amelia began working in the fintech sector in 2014 after writing her thesis on Bitcoin technology. Previously author for several international crypto-related magazines and CMO at Eidoo. She is now the co-founder and editor-in-chief of The Cryptonomist and Econique.
She is also a marketing teacher at Digital Coach in Milan and she published a book about NFTs for the Italian publishing house Mondadori, while she is also helping artists and company to entering in the sector. As advisor, Amelia is also involved in metaverse-related project such as The Nemesis and OVER.
