Second Royal Charter of the Royal Society
22 April 1663
Unknown, Artist
height (page): 660mm
width (page): 800mm
width (page): 800mm
The decoration of the second Royal Charter of the Royal Society is based closely on that of the first. It shows a portrait of Charles II inside the letter C, surrounded with calligraphic flourishes. The decorative band at the top indicates a bird, a plant with fruits, a carnation and a tulip. The side borders are filled similarly with acanthus-style scrolls with floral patterns. The one difference is the Royal Society's own coat of arms, granted in this Charter, which is decorated in colour in the middle of the left border. Monogram signatures of 'NP' and 'ANR' (?) are found next to the portrait of Charles II.
For the English translation of the Charter, see The Record of the Royal Society of London, 4th edn (London: The Royal Society, 1940), pp. 226-37.
Charles II (1630 - 1685, British)