The 17th Century document that nearly became a lampshade

A unique document dating from the 17th Century was rescued from being transformed into a makeshift lampshade, archivists have found.

The Royal Charter, which granted political powers to a city, was originally given to Leeds by King Charles I in 1626.

The owner of a Canterbury bookshop in the 1950s was about to turn it into a decorative feature when a chance consultation with an expert established that it was the only surviving copy of the charter.

The West Yorkshire Archive Service has revealed the story as the city prepares to mark the 400th anniversary of the charter being granted.

Inked on animal skin in Latin, the document itself dates from 1646, is a precise copy of its 1626 counterpart, and was written after the original was lost during the English Civil War.

The charter laid the foundations of the modern city, incorporating it as a "free borough" and a "body corporate and politic".

"The charter is a truly impressive document and a physical representation of what was without a doubt one of the most significant moments the history of Leeds," said Alex Pearson, archives assistant with West Yorkshire Archive Service.

"Not only did having a Royal Charter give the city a considerable amount of added prestige at the time, it also laid down some of the pivotal political, economic and social rules which helped the city take control of its own destiny and begin to grow into the place we know today."

Records show Mr C E Cheshire, the owner of the bookshop, had purchased it at a village sale in east Kent before it fell behind a bookcase at his shop, where it lay forgotten for the next six years.

Upon rediscovering it, he asked his archivist friend to take a look, intending to create a lampshade from what he initially thought was a piece of antique vellum.

Pearson said it was an "astonishing" tale.

"To think the only remaining copy almost became a lampshade, and it goes to show how even the most important documents can sometimes crop up in the most unlikely places."

After learning of its discovery, the Corporation of Leeds offered to buy it for £10 and 10 shillings, however the owner decided to donate it to the city instead.

Writing to the Corporation in 1952, Mr Cheshire said: "As we now realise the importance of this missing link in your civic history we would like you to ask the Lord Mayor, Aldermen and Members of the Corporation if they would accept this Copy of the Charter as a gift to the Citizens of Leeds from my Son (C E Cheshire Junr) and myself."

Today the charter is preserved by the West Yorkshire Archive Service in Leeds, alongside a second one granting further autonomy to the city by Charles II in 1661.

It is due to go on display later this year as part of the Leeds 400 celebrations.

Pearson said: "Four hundred years later, we can still see the massive impact the charter had on Leeds and as the city celebrates this historic year, it's a privilege to give people the chance to see such a remarkable piece of heritage in person."

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