Can anyone help me to establish the history relating to the following
document please - A Passport for - "Sir Knight R.J.Cowdrey" 1871.

Interesting piece of ephemera - a single sheet passport issued to the
gentleman above on 9th February 1875 by "William Emperor" - Above the
word "Cowdrey" there is the notation died 23rd August 1881.

 The Passport is complete but in a very distressed condition. It bears
a seal which I am unable to read.

The Passport bears the number 9 and is sized approximately 6" x 
7.5" after a larger sheet was folded in half. There is no annotation
on any other part of the document - The Passport reads - No.9 - These
(sic) are to request and require all whom it may concern to allow Sir
Knight R.J.Cowdrey(?)/Cowdey(?) to pass throughout our dominions
without let or hindrance and to afford all aid and assistance to him.
- Given under our Hand and Seal this 9 day of February 1875. WILLIAM
Emperor.

As far as I know the only emperor named William in 1875 was William I
emperor of Germany (1871-88) (Wilhelm I.).
Some information on William:
http://www.encyclopedia.com/html/W/Will1G1er.asp

No place mentioned where this passport was issued?