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King Charles IX

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles / Autographs Start Price:NA Estimated At:2,000.00 - 4,000.00 USD
King Charles IX

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Auction Date:2018 Dec 05 @ 18:00 (UTC-5 : EST/CDT)
Location:236 Commercial St., Suite 100, Boston, Massachusetts, 02109, United States
ALS - Autograph Letter Signed
ANS - Autograph Note Signed
AQS - Autograph Quotation Signed
AMQS - Autograph Musical Quotation Signed
DS - Document Signed
FDC - First Day Cover
Inscribed - “Personalized”
ISP - Inscribed Signed Photograph
LS - Letter Signed
SP - Signed Photograph
TLS - Typed Letter Signed
King of France (1550–1574) from 1560 until his death, whose reign was fraught with religious conflict including the St. Bartholomew's Day massacre. LS in French, signed “Charles,” one page both sides, 9 x 13.5, March 30, 1567. Letter to Monsieur de Fourquevaulx, his ambassador in Spain, responding with calm and humor to his King Philip II's claims and complaints, which the latter had passed on to Fourquevaulx through the intermediary of Dr. Lembeje.

In part (translated): "I waited a few days before answering your letter dated the 23rd of last month, since there was not really anything important except for news about what is happening on your side. However, I was quite pleased to hear what you were able to uncover about what the doctor is saying, as he is not well informed about the special arrangements he says I have with the Comte Palatine Lantgrave and other princes of this nation and alliance that they would let certain lands near the Rhine fall into my hands (which I've never heard of). I can’t deny that I’m on friendly terms with them, as I've tried to be with all the friends left me by the Kings who reigned before, but it is no big sin, as you know.

As for the complaints regarding the damage caused by pirates and corsairs, the Spanish Ambassador had already asked that they be prosecuted, and he has been allowed to begin proceedings. At his request, among other things, I sent another gentleman to be in charge of Belle-Isle and to begin inquiries into the Sourdeval brothers who I am having transferred here. I had Captain Petre Paul taken prisoner; he is now in the hands of the Parliament of the Court in Bordeaux, where he is being judged. Also, the Portuguese guide Borgue has been arrested and I asked that the case be brought before the court…so that he be judged. Thus they will have enough reasons to believe that this plundering does not please me any more than it does them, and they should be told on my behalf that those who commit any act of piracy will get the punishment they deserve (although I doubt that they will pay much attention to it).

I won’t comment on the preparations I am suspected of making since it is obvious from the help and support the Catholic King gets from me, as well as the provisions I supply him with and various favors I do him, such as the passing of deniers through my kingdom, that I am quite loyal to him. But to think that, in seeing troop movements all over, I might want to take away from a prince that God made as great as I, that which belongs to him, to ensure the safety of my own state and protect it from ill-intentioned people, would be to regard me as unworthy of my present position. Having made it known however that I only desire the peace and well-being of Christendom, it’s not my problem that those who could have, didn’t intrinsically use their intelligence to this effect.

Don Antoine de Mandosse passed through here. He told us the reason for his trip and other things I was pleased to hear, among them that the King, his master, still has a great liking for me and wants to strengthen this friendship by all means. He also talked about the visit of the Duke of Albe, which should be followed…But from what I read in your letter of the 15th of this month, which I got yesterday, he didn’t accomplish as much as he planned, since he postponed the session of his parliament until after this Holy Day. I don’t know if the news of the surrender of Valenciennes and the settling of the situation in the Netherlands which they should have received by now, will make any difference. Because when all is said and done, if that’s the way it is, the expenses will be superfluous and ruinous to his country. I’d like to hear as soon as possible what they’re going to do and I want you to keep me posted from one day to the next. I want you to know that I was very displeased to hear about this revolt and trouble in New Spain, but I have to believe that the King, my brother, has so many good men that they will know as well as those in the Netherlands what to do. In any case you can be sure that I will be as pleased as if it had been for my own sake." In fine condition, with scattered light foxing and staining.

King Charles IX makes reference to the Siege of Valenciennes, which was rooted in religious conflict and came to a conclusion when the city surrendered on March 23, 1567. However, the situation in the Netherlands was not at all settled—this was the first siege of the Eighty Years' War, which continued to rage until 1648. A highly desirable, well-preserved letter from a time of religious turmoil in Europe.