PHILIPPE II DUKE OF ORLEANS & [LOUIS XV]: Philippe II Duke of Orleans (1674-1723) Duke of Chartres. Philippe II ...

PHILIPPE II DUKE OF ORLEANS & [LOUIS XV]: Philippe II Duke of Orleans (1674-1723) Duke of Chartres. Philippe II served as Regent of the French Kingdom 1715-23 during Louis XV´s age minority. The Duke married his first cousin, Francoise de Bourbon, legitimised daughter of his uncle Louis XIV and Madame de Montespan. He died at the age of 49 at Versailles, being the de facto ruler of France, & [Louis XV] (1710-1774) King of France 1715-74. A good and unusual L.S., `bon Philippe d´Orleans´, as Regent of the Kingdom of France, one page, folio, Paris, 6th January 1716, in French. The Regent´s signature is crossed with one line, alongside the signature of the King `Louis´, secretarial, the King being at the time of the present letter only five. The document being a payment order, instructing the royal General Treasurer to `..pay Mr. Pierre Richard Brocher, treasurer of the Bridges and Roads department the amount of five hundred and thirty three thousand five hundred and eighty seven pounds to be applied to the payment of the spending of the State Bridges and Roads of the year 1714.´ Countersigned by Phelypeaux, a large signature to the bottom right corner. Small overall age wear, mostly to edges. G Louis Phelypeaux (1672-1725) Marquis de La Vrilliere. French Statesman and King´s House Secretary of State 1715-18.