FRANCIS DUKE OF GUISE: (1519-1563)

FRANCIS DUKE OF GUISE: (1519-1563) Also known as François I of Lorraine. Francis fought against Charles V defending France and the Catholics. Assassinated at the besiege of Orleans by a protestant at the early age of 44. A good L.S., François de Lorr.ne, with holograph `Your companion and friend´ in his hand, one page, folio, Saint-Léger, 4th July 1560, to Sebastien de l´Aubespine, in old French. Francis of Guise, as a result of the peace treaty signed between Spain and France, requests the release of the French prisoners in Spanish galleys, stating `Beside the letter which has been written to you by the Queen Mother asking for the liberation of Captain Lisle, always loyal to the King at war, and of the relatives residing in the Martigues, who have been made prisoners, for six years now, being now in the galleys of Captain Labbe at Palamos, I have decided to write to you and beg that you make all the necessary and all you can to release all the French prisoners, including the Captain de Lisle´s relatives, so they can get full freedom and return without impediments, the whole according to the peace treaty..´ Addressed to the verso. Folded. Right and bottom edges slightly trimmed. With remnants of a former paper seal affixed to the verso. VG £500-800 Sébastien de l'Aubespine (1518-1582) Bishop of Limoges and French Ambassador to Spain 1558-62. Minister under Charles IX. The Peace treaty mentioned in the present letter is the double treaty of Cateau-Cambresis signed on 2nd & 3rd of April 1559 ending with the conflict between France, Spain and the Holy Saint Empire of Charles V. It is widely considered as the most important treaty of the XVI century. Catherine de´Medici (1519-1589) Queen consort of France 1547-59, as spouse of King Henry II. Catherine de Medici saw during her life time three of her sons becoming Kings of France, Francis II, Charles IX and Henry III. She is the Queen mother Francis of Guise refers to in the present letter, as mother of Francis II, the sixteen years old King of France the date this letter was written. Catherine de´Medici wrote a month earlier, in June 1560 to the King of Spain Philip II, as François of Guise mentions in this letter. Palamos is a municipality in Spain, on the Mediterranean sea near Girona.