King of France, second son of Henry II, who was induced by his mother to effect the Massacre of St. Bartholomew. Rare manuscript DS, in French, signed “Charles,” four pages on two adjoining sheets, 8.25 x 12.5, February 11, 1567. An untranslated document, boldly signed at the conclusion. In very good condition, with wrinkles and creasing, and scattered toning and soiling, none affecting the clean signature area.
A series of wars known as the War of Religions plagued Charles' reign but in 1566 an unsettled peace remained in the kingdom while Charles and his mother Catherine de Medici toured the country in 1566. Fears of spreading iconoclasm in Flanders prompted him to side with the Catholics. When the Duke of Alva marched the Spanish army up the Spanish Road in 1567 to quash the Dutch Revolt, rumors abounded that he intended to invade France supported by the Catholic Duke of Guise. Adding fuel to the fire, Charles hired 6000 Swiss mercenaries to protect the Spanish border. Expecting Huguenot persecutions to resume by the Catholics, a plot to kidnap the king surfaced. Known as the Surprise of Meaux, the conspiracy was organized by Louis I de Bourbon, prince de Condé, to secure the Huguenot position by removing Guise from the council and seizing control of the weak king.
In September 1567, Condé invaded the château with the intention of arresting the king. The kidnap attempt failed and Charles and Catherine fled to Paris, but it touched off another round of war in which Catholic priests were massacred in Nimes. On November 10, the Royal army under the command of Constable Montmorency prepared to attack Condé’s smaller Huguenot force outside, but Condé's calvary charged and split the Royal army's line. Badly outnumbered, Condé withdrew and four days later broke camp. The only major battle of the second War of Religions closed with a draw and on Mar. 23, 1568 a tenuous peace established with the Edict of Longjumeau. RRAuction COA.
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