William III, King of England (1689-1702) Signed Autograph letter to Henry (1641–1704), Viscount Sidney (Sydney) manuscript autograph letter instructing the formation of a Regiment in Ireland [8th King's Royal Irish Hussars] inscribed 'to our right Trusty & Wellbeloved Cousin & Councillor Henry Viscount Sidney Our Lieu.t Generall & Gen.ll Governor of Our Kingdome of Ireland and to our Cheif [sic][ Governor or - Governor thereof for the time being' further annotated 'His Ma. Letters Letter y Lord Visc Sidney' dated 18th of January 1692 with an Establishm.t for a Regim.t, a Regim.t of Dragoons to be Raised and Commanded by Arthur Earle of Donegall & Coll Henry Conyngham', the letter signed 'William R' to the top of the letter, the letter further signed by William Blathwayt (circa 1649-1717), the letter: 46cm x 34cm

Within a 19th century bobbin turned decorated and glazed mahogany frame opening to both sides with hinged door to reveal the back and front of the letter, 56cm wide x 44cm high

Ombersley Court, Worcestershire

Sidney (Sydney), Henry (1641–1704), Viscount Sidney, lord lieutenant of Ireland (1692–3), of London and Kent, was born in Paris c. March 1641, fourth son of Robert Sidney, 2nd earl of Leicester (d. 1677), and his wife Lady Dorothy (d. 1659), daughter of Henry Percy, earl of Northumberland. In 1667 he was appointed captain of foot in the Holland regiment, and in the 1670s progressed through various public and court positions, including envoy to France and master of the robes. In 1679 he was sent as envoy to the states general, where he won the confidence of William of Orange. His activities earned him the displeasure of Charles II, and he was recalled in 1681. William's attempt to counteract the king's displeasure by getting Sidney appointed commander of the English regiments in the Dutch service was unsuccessful, while the accession of James II in 1685 further undermined Sidney's career. However, having remained out of view in Italy in 1686–7, he returned to England in 1688 in time to take a leading role in the conspiracy to bring William to England. In the summer of 1690 Sidney accompanied William to Ireland, and was present at the battle of the Boyne. Following William's departure (September), Sidney was appointed as one of the lords justices to govern Ireland. He served in that post till December 1690, when he returned to London to take up office as secretary of state for the northern department. During 1691 he was appointed warden of the Cinque ports, attended William in Flanders, and by the end of the year was being suggested as lord lieutenant of Ireland. In early 1692 he was appointed to that post, though his suitability for the position, and potential for a successful time in office, was called into question almost immediately when accusations were made that he had sold government places when a lord justice.

William I Blathwayt was a diplomat and politician under the later Stuarts and William of Orange. He inherited Dyrham Park through his wife, Mary Wynter (1650–1694), whom he married in 1686.