Queen of England and Ireland from 1553 until her death, whose brutal persecution of Protestants earned her the nickname 'Bloody Mary' (1516-1558). Rare LS in French, signed “votre bonne cousine, Marye,” one page, 15.25 x 10.75, November 16, 1556. Letter to her cousin, the Duke of Savoy, relaying news and making a recommendation. In very good to fine condition, with light soiling, toning from prior display, and professional repairs to several small tears.
Mary writes to Emmanuel Philibert, Duke of Savoy, the cousin of her husband, King Philip II of Spain. Philip had ascended to the Spanish throne at the beginning of 1556, making Mary queen consort of Habsburg Spain in addition to her position as Queen of England and Ireland. At one time, Queen Mary and King Philip had schemed to have Elizabeth Tudor marry the Duke of Savoy, thereby securing Catholic succession and preserving the Habsburg interest in England. However, Elizabeth refused to comply and parliamentary consent was unlikely. After Mary's death in 1558, her re-establishment of Roman Catholicism was reversed by her younger half-sister and successor, the Protestant Queen Elizabeth I.
This item is Pre-Certified by PSA/DNA
Buy a third-party letter of authenticity for
(inquire for price)
*This item has been pre-certified by a trusted third-party authentication service, and by placing a bid on this item, you agree to accept the opinion of this authentication service. If you wish to have an opinion rendered by a different authenticator of your choosing, you must do so prior to your placing of any bid. RR Auction is not responsible for differing opinions submitted 30 days after the date of the sale.
