LOUIS XIV: (1638-1715) Also known as Louis the Great or The Sun King. King of France 1643-1715. Son of Louis XIII. ...

LOUIS XIV: (1638-1715) Also known as Louis the Great or The Sun King. King of France 1643-1715. Son of Louis XIII. His reign of more than 72 years is the longest recorded of any monarch in European history. An extremely rare Autograph Letter, with paraph at the conclusion in the King´s hand, one page, 4to, n.p., n.d. [March-April 1667], to Hugues de Lionne, in French. The King refers to two important crucial state affairs, stating `We must wait and see what the letter of Count of St. Albans will generate and consider constantly the honest means to get the peace.´ the King referring to the peace negotiations between England and the provinces of the Netherlands. Further saying `I approve your tought on Butti and I think he can serve usefully at the Conclave.´ referring this time to the difficult relationships between France and the Holy See and an expected prompt conclave. An extremely interesting and rare letter with very good historical content. With blank address leaf, written in the King´s hand `to Lionne´, and bearing remnants of a former seal. With a reputed collector´s small ink stamp, Victor Sanson, ''VS'', to the bottom right corner. Small overall creasing and age wear, otherwise G Hugues de Lionne (1611-1671) French Statesman. Secretary to the Queen Regent Anne of Austria. As minister of state, he was associated with Mazarin in the Treaty of the Pyrenees (1659) which secured the marriage of Louis XIV to the infanta Maria Theresa of Spain. Among his most important diplomatic successes were the Treaty of Breda (1667) and the Treaty of Aix-la-Chapelle (1668). The first State affair mentioned in the present letter refers to the Peace Treaty negotiations between England and the provinces of the Netherlands which started early 1667, France being involved in war against England since a year earlier January 1666. During the pourparler, Jean de Witt, representative of the provinces of the Netherlands, agreed with France to choose the city of Breda for the Peace Treaty signature. What is known as Treaty of Breda. Peace between France and England was signed a few months later on 31st July 1667. Henri Jermyn, Count of Saint Alban (1604-1684) emissary appointed by King Charles II of England. Louis XIV and Pope Alexander VII were in permanent quarrel, Alexander's pontificate was shadowed by continual friction with Cardinal Mazarin, adviser to King Louis XIV of France. The quarrel between Versailles and Rome resulted in Alexander VII's temporary loss of Avignon and his forced acceptance of the humiliating treaty of Pisa in 1664. At the time of the present letter, Louis XIV had been informed of the Pope´s poor health and, expecting a prompt end and conclave, sent his cardinals representatives to Rome, in order to impose his candidate Cardinal Giulio Rospigliosi (1600-1669), who would be elected few months later as Pope Clement IX on 26th June 1667. Louis XIV refers in the present letter to Butti, Abbot Francesco Butti (1604-1682), jurist and diplomat, close to Mazarin, who would later be a key figure in introducing Italian music in France. Butti was appointed by the King to Rome in 1667, with strict instructions to report daily to French Ambassador about the conclave progress.