Untranslated ALS in French, signed “Henry,” one page, 7.25 x 10, July 25, 1596. Henry writes Marshall Nicholas de Villeroi, his secretary of state, regarding the departure of the Duc de Bouillon on a mission to England and meeting Villeroi at Amiens to receive his dispatches. In very good condition, with wrinkling and creasing, portions cut along the left side not affecting text, edge toning, and pencil notations erased at the bottom of the page.
A treaty referenced in this correspondence to Villeroi, considered one of the most distinguished of all 16th century French secretaries, is the reason why Bouillon was traveling to England—to sign an agreement with Queen Elizabeth I to assist France against Spain, which was attacking the Normandy coast. Elizabeth was willing to enter a treaty with Henry due to their mutual Protestantism and served as a unifying force between France and England against Catholic Spain. From June 1595 through March 1597, Henry realized a variety of victories and defeats in his fight against Philip II of Spain. Among those defeats occurred when Amiens, one of the keys to France on the frontier of the north and the site of the mission referenced here, was taken by the Spanish in 1597 after soldiers disguised as peasants entered the city and mounted a surprise attack. After six months of fighting, however, the forces of Henry IV regained control of the city. Pre-certified PSA/DNA and RRAuction COA.
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