ANJOU (François de Valois, Duc d'). Letter signed... Lot 32

ANJOU (François de Valois, Duc d'). Letter signed with 4 autograph words, addressed to Duke Charles III of Lorraine. Mante, June 18, 1581. 2/3 p. folio, trace of tab on verso; small cracks due to the letter's closing system and traces of red wax seal. "Mon frère, vous avez bien entendu qu'avec instante priere re[quê]te de messres du clergé, noblesse tiers estat de Cambray et du pais de Cambresis, j'ai accepté leur protection; incité aussi à ce devoir par les mauvais comporttemens des ministres du roy d'Espagne en leur endroict. Now that they are oppressed and for a long time under siege, I have deliberated on my promise to help them, and for this purpose HAVE RAISED A TROUPPE OF A MILLION REISTERS WHO CANNOT COME TO MOY WITHOUT PASSING THROUGH SOME ENDROICT OF YOUR LANDS. JE VOUS PRIE ME VOULOIR TANT GRATIFIER QUE DE M'ACCORDER LEDICT PASSAGE, avec asseurance que je vous donne que ilz se comporteront de sorte que voz subjectz n'en recevront aucune incommodité, et vous m'obligerez a recongnoistre ce plaisir par tous les bons moiens que vous vouldir desirer de moi qui, sur l'assuran[ce] que j'ai que vous me vouldrez accorder ceste priere, req[es]te, je suppayayay le Createur, mon frère, qu'il vous donne, en santé, heureuse longue vie... [in the hand of the Duc d'Anjou:] Vostre trés affectionné frere Françoys " AMBITIOUS PERSONALITY IN THE TIME OF THE RELIGION WAR, FRANÇOIS DE DE VALOIS (1554-1584) was the last son of Henri II and Catherine de Médicis. He was the youngest son, small in stature, scarred by a severe case of smallpox, and initially confined to subordinate commands, fostering great jealousy of his brothers. A strong personality, cultured, not very religious, bisexual, and able to create a clientele among both Catholic and Protestant nobility, he frequented the malcontents and took part in conspiracies. In 1575, he left the Court and entered into open rebellion, until the so-called Peace of Beaulieu, concluded in 1576, under the terms of which he was made Duke of Anjou with a rich apanage. He did not cease his agitation, however, allowing his favorites to be insolent at Court, illegally raising troops, and corresponding directly with foreign sovereigns and princes. Recognized as Count of Flanders and Duke of Brabant by the rebels in the Spanish Netherlands, the Duke of Anjou led a military intervention of his own accord, but without success. Finally, after an abortive marriage to Elizabeth I of England, he refused further marriages and had no heirs, thus contributing to the extinction of the Valois branch.