About Kings Richard III and Henry VII and Royal Pledges

In the possession of the Rev. E. E. Estcourt, F. S. A., are several documents in connection with royal pledges, which may be thus described:--"The most curious is a deed of acquittance between King Henry VII. and Richard Gardyner, Alderman of London, on the return of a piece of plate pledged to the latter for 66 pound 13s. 4d. by King Richard III.; and also of a loan of 100 pound, being Gardyner's share of a loan of 2,400 pound, made by the Mayor and Aldermen of London to Richard III., and secured by a variety of jewels. The document was drawn up in two parts; one under the sign-manual of the king, the other under the seal of Richard Gardyner. The acquittance is given at full length in the "Proceedings of the Society of Antiquaries," vol. i., second series, page 356. Mention is made of "a Salte of golde, with a Cover standyng vpone a morene garnyshed with perles and precious stones;" also "a Coronalle of golde, garnyshed with precious stones, and many other grete and riche Jewellers."