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a handwritten letter written in black ink on a piece of paper
Ader

507 - Anne de MONTMORENCY (1493–1567), Constable of France.
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Estimate €800 - €1,000
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Description
Anne de MONTMORENCY (1493–1567), Constable of France. Autograph letter with the handwritten salutation ‘To my dear cousin and friend Montmorency’, Paris, 16 December 1538, to Louis Adhémar de Grignan, chamberlain and ambassador to the Pope [Paul III]; 2 folio pages, address (small tear repaired). An important letter concerning the religious reforms of Henry VIII and the English schism, and on the rapprochement between Francis I and Charles V. Francis I is very pleased with Grignan’s good offices, to whom the Constable writes: ‘so that you may hear of the marvellous deeds the King of England performs every day to make himself the talk of the town. I am sending you a copy of what we received yesterday from Castillon, which you may pass on as and when necessary. I believe that if God allows this King to reign for much longer, not a single man of reputation and standing will remain in his kingdom with his head still on his shoulders. And it seems to me that if our Holy Father does not wish to take offence at such pernicious matters, which have such dire consequences, he will find it very difficult to prevent the world from crying out to God for vengeance and punishment’. Francis I will be most grateful to Grignan for what he has already negotiated on this matter, ‘which you will continue to do’. Montmorency then informed Grignan that he had just dispatched his secretary Christofle to Emperor Charles V for ‘the maintenance and demonstration of their friendship, which grows day by day, and also to ascertain from the said Emperor his decision regarding the matter of his loan’… He then speaks of Stephano Colonna (“I assure you that he will set off without delay before the King takes him back into his service”), and of Monluc, who has been granted “one hundred francs a month pending a better arrangement”… The King was unable to receive the Papal ambassador, having felt ‘a little unwell, and taken some medicine, after which he is now feeling very well’; he is to set off for Saint-Germain-en-Laye ‘in order to get a change of air’… Montmorency then reports that ‘the King has sent a gentleman to the King of Scotland [James V Stuart, his son-in-law], to encourage and sustain him at all times in the good will and filial affection he bears to the said lord, so that should our said holy father wish to have the Prince of England executed and deposed, everyone may be of the same and unanimous opinion’… Finally, he instructs Grignan to report back to him everything he may hear ‘from all quarters, and chiefly concerning the Turkish coast and army’…
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About the sale Letters and Autograph Manuscripts – Part II
Auction location
Auction time 10/14/2026 at 2:00 PM
Pictures credits: Contact the Auction House
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