Sales catalogue 522: Maggs Bros

Date:
1929
Reference:
WA/HMM/CM/Sal/13/78
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Sales catalogue 522: Maggs Bros. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    Venddme Canerotos of Henry of Navarre). ‘‘ A good knight and brave, but rather gay.’’ Accompanied Charles VIII. in his campaign for the conquest of Naples. LETTER, SIGNED .. “ LOYS ;| DE. BOURBON? aaa. ‘““ MADAME ” (ANNE OF FRANCE, SISTER AND GOVERNESS OF CHARLES ViIIIy: 2 pp., folio. Acquapendente, 1oth June, 1495. £10 10s An extremely rare letter of great interest. The writer, says Bran- tome, was a very valiant and bold knight. According to Commines. ‘“he was a good knight and brave, but rather gay; he would lie a-bed till past 12 o’clock midday and would not be persuaded to get up before. He was fond of ladies’ company and very joyous and festive with them and right courteous and liberal in feasts and banquetings. He sang well and liked music and jousted well, and truly he was a goodly person and skilled in all exercises, and in book-learning and much esteemed and had many friends.’’ He fought at the famous battle of Tornova on the 5th of July following the date of this letter; he was however unhurt . and followed the young King in his retreat towards France, which he was to see no more. He died in the flower of his youth at Ast where he arrived with the rearguard about a.week after the battle. (Trans.):—‘‘ Madam, The King arrived at night in this town and abode here to let his men at arms and Artillery pass forward and will be Saturday or Sunday at Sennes, angsl God aiding, will reach Florence. . . Madame, the King has had tidings how Otrante has joined the party of King Ferrand, and Poetions and two other small tow ns, and it is hoped that shortly they will ‘turn again to our. said Sovereign Lord. ._. . Madam, it has also been told me that the King willeth the marriage of the Prince de Besignes and Mademoiselle de Cundelles, and I think he be moved thereto by my Lord de Ligny, but as I can understand he must first have dispensation from the daughter of the Duchess of Malfe, with whom he has been in: love and hath vowed never to have another for wife. . I should write to you more often, but there be so great danger that letters be found, that one dare not write to you. : We cannot have the King’s letters, because none now signeth for him, and he willeth not to be troubled.” His correspondent, Anne of France, was Governor of the kingdom, during her brother’s absence.
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