QUEEN MARGOT – MARGARET OF VALOIS: (1553-1615) Popularly known as “La Reine Margot”. French Princess of the Valois dynasty. Queen of Navarre 1572-1599 as spouse of King Henry III of Navarre, and later Queen of France 1589-99 at her husband´s accession to the French throne as Henry IV. Margaret was the daughter of King Henry II of France and Catherine de´ Medici, and the sister of Kings Francis II, Charles IX and Henry III. Extremely rare A.L.S., `Marguerite´, two pages, folio, n.p., n.d., to Henry, in old French. Margaret of Valois writes in her hand twelve lines of text at the base of a letter, stating `Faites que M^r Rigaut me [fasse] [trouver]… et faites que ie vous trouve plus veritable en Celle que ne l´avez été au bois de lezoux et… s´en donner ce que j´en… et vous assure que je suis touiours… V^re bonne… Marguerite´ (Translation: “Make sure that Mr. Rigaut find for me… and let me find you more true on the one the you have not been in the Bois de Lezoux… give him what I do… and assure you that I am always… Your good… Marguerite”) The letter written text states in part `Henry, le bon commencement que je crois de mes affaires me promet que dieu fera enfin le reste aussi heureusement. J’ai beaucoup d’obligation à monsieur d’Here de la Bonnerusher, rien ne lui manque en son voyage et qu’il reste content de vous et écrivez moi souvent tout ce [qui] s’y fera. Vous m’écrivez qu’avec mes… de notre affaire dieu veuille… ainsi vous ne me mandez rien de votre mariage et crois que mes affaires vous font oublier les vôtres. Je serais bien aise qu’il [vous] réussisse. Monsieur Richaud m’écrit qu’il ne pourra pas… de l’argent des bois de Lezoux. Ce n’est pas ce que vous m’avez dit, prenez garde que vous soyez plus véritable aux autres espérances que vous m’avez données. Je me réjouis infiniment de la bonne intelligence qui est entre monsieur Richaud et monsieur Savaron, maintenez-la toujours afin que mes affaires en aillent mieux. J’écris à monsieur de Savaron. Rendez-lui mes lettres. Je le remercie de la bonne volonté qu’il m’a témoignée et lui représente combien je reçois de contentement de la bonne intelligence qu’il a voulu avoir pour mes affaires avec monsieur Richaud et le prie de faire entendre à ceux de Clermont combien il me ferait paraître de bonne volonté à ne permettre plus que les gens de mon neveu demeurent à Clermont qui n’ont plus prétexte d’y demeurer à cette heure que j’en ai pris possession…´ (Translation: “Henry, the good start I believe in my affairs promises me that God will finally do the rest as happily. I have a lot of obligations to Monsieur d'Here de la Bonnerusher, he has everything he needs for his trip and that he remains happy with you and write to me often about everything that will happen there. You write to me only with my… of our business, that I hope God grant… so you don't tell me anything about your marriage and I think that my business makes you forget yours. I would be glad if he succeeds. Monsieur Richaud writes to me that he will not be able to… money from the woods of Lezoux. That's not what you told me, take care that you are truer to the other hopes you gave me. I am infinitely delighted with the good understanding that exists between Mr. Richaud and Mr. Savaron, always maintain it so that my business will go better. I am writing to Monsieur de Savaron. Give him my letters. I thank him for the goodwill he has shown to me and tell him how pleased I am with the good understanding he wanted to have for my business with Monsieur Richaud and ask him to make those of Clermont understand how much he would make me appear willing to no longer allow my nephew's people to live in Clermont, who no longer have a pretext to live there at this time that I have taken possession of it…”) To the verso, a hand written short paragraph refers to Charmont and to the deliberations of the Council of State, also referring to a cause of a problem, to wisdom and behaviour. The Queen's text is scattered with small holes as a result of the iron gall ink having reacted with the paper over time, although most words remain legible and the signature is only very slightly affected. Some light overall foxing and a few minor, small tears to the edges, G

Margaret of Valois refers to Monsieur Savaron, most probably Jean Savaron (1566-1622) French Historian and Magistrate of the city of Clermont. The letter refers to the city of Clermont and to the one of Lezoux.

Margaret of Valois was a woman of letters, an enlightened mind and a generous patron. She was one of the most fashionable women of her time and influenced many other European Royal courts. During her imprisonment she wrote her memoirs, the first woman to have done so.

Margaret´s union with the King of Navarre which had been intended to contribute to the reconciliation of Roman Catholics and the Huguenots in France, was tarnished six days after the marriage ceremony by the St. Bartholomew´s Day massacre.

Margaret´s infertility and the political tensions led to the end of her marriage. She consented a Royal divorce in 1599 and lived in exile.

Alexandre Dumas père wrote his well-known historical novel La Reine Margot in 1845. Although the novel is based on real characters and events, certain aspects of La Reine Margot may be inconsistent with the historical record; historians have attributed that to artistic licence and to the fact that Dumas might have been influenced by propaganda against certain historical figures.