GEORGE IV: (1762-1830) King of the United Kingdom 1820-30.

A good D.S., George R, as King, at the head, four pages, folio, Court at Carlton House, 14th May 1824. The manuscript document is addressed to the Reverend George Gregory and William Ponsford and is a License allowing John Lambert Arden and his issue to take and use the surname of Gorwyn in addition to, and after that, of Arden and provides a lengthy explanation, stating, in part, 'Whereas George Gregory of Dunsford in the County of Devon, Clerk, and William Ponsford, of Puddicombe in the same County, Gentleman, for and on behalf of John Lambert Arden, of the Parish of Cheriton Bishop in the County aforesaid, Gentleman, a minor of the age of twenty years and upwards, the fourth and youngest son of George Arden, late of the City of Exeter, Mercer, deceased, by Joan his wife, one of the sisters of John Lambert Gorwyn, late of Cheriton Bishop….also deceased, have by their Petition humbly represented us, that the said John Lambert Gorwyn, the late material uncle of the said John Lambert Arden, in and by his last Will….gave and devised his messauges….in the said Will, there is contained a Proviso and Direction that when and as soon as the said John Lambert Arden should become seized or entitled to the actual Possession of the said Estate….he shall use, assume and take upon him and afterwards continue the surname of Gorwyn only instead of his then surname or by adding the same thereto….' Countersigned at the conclusion by Robert Peel (1788-1850) British Prime Minister 1834-35, 1841-46 and Home Secretary 1822-27 & 1828-30. With blind embossed paper seal affixed. A good document featuring fine examples of the signatures of King George IV and Robert Peel. VGRobert Peel twice served as the United Kingdom's Prime Minister (1834-35, 1841-46) and twice as Home Secretary (1822-27, 1828-30) and is regarded as one of the founders of the modern Conservative Party and the father of modern British policing. His establishment of the Metropolitan Police Force for London in 1829 led to a new type of officer known in tribute to him as 'bobbies', a term still used today.King George IV had served as Prince Regent during the final years of his father, King George III's, illness and acceded to the throne in 1820. The King led an extravagant lifestyle that contributed to the fashions of the Regency era. He was a patron of new forms of leisure, style and taste and commissioned the building of the Royal Pavilion in Brighton, the remodelling of Buckingham Palace and the rebuilding of Windsor Castle. His charm and culture earned him the title of 'the first gentleman of England', however his way of life brought contempt from his public, many of whom found his behaviour selfish, unreliable and irresponsible.