Louis XIII (27 September 1601 – 14 May 1643) was a monarch of the House of Bourbon who was King of France from 1610 to 1643 and King of Navarre (as Louis II) from 1610 to 1620, when the crown of Navarre was merged with the French crown.
This signed document, regards a gift from Louis and mentions Queen Regent Marie de Medici, is hand-signed by a 10 year old King Louis XIII during the first year of his reign, 1610. Document measures approximately 9 x 20" in size on vellum.
Shortly before his ninth birthday, Louis became king of France and Navarre after his father Henry IV was assassinated. His mother, Marie de' Medici, acted as regent during his minority. Mismanagement of the kingdom and ceaseless political intrigues by Marie and her Italian favourites led the young king to take power in 1617 by exiling his mother and executing her followers, including Concino Concini, the most influential Italian at the French court.
Louis XIII, taciturn and suspicious, relied heavily on his chief ministers, first Charles d'Albert, duc de Luynes and then Cardinal Richelieu, to govern the Kingdom of France. King and cardinal are remembered for establishing the Académie française, and ending the revolt of the French nobility. They systematically destroyed castles of defiant lords and denounced the use of private violence (dueling, carrying weapons, and maintaining private armies). By the end of 1620s, Richelieu established "the royal monopoly of force" as the ruling doctrine.[1] The reign of Louis "the Just" was also marked by the struggles against the Huguenots and Habsburg Spain.[2]
Overall fine vintage condition, with expected intersecting folds, light wrinkling and overall light toning. Accompanied by a full Letter of Authenticity from Steve Grad & Brian Sobrero/Beckett Authentication Services (BAS).