Document Signed

When France's King Henry II died in 1559 and his sickly 15-year-old heir Francis II followed the next year, the throne went to 10-year-old Charles Maximilian, who became Charles IX; his mother, Catherine de' Medici, dominated his reign, which is noted for the Wars of Religion and for the infamous St. Bartholomew's Day Massacre of 1572. Partial vellum DS, 1p, 11" X 8", n.p., n.y. [September 1570 lightly pencilled in another hand]. Very good. Folds and mild bit of wear evident, but overall handsome and boldly penned. Though penned in difficult early French (which is to modern French what Elizabethan English is to modern English) and not accompanied by a translation, this is a probate approval legal document. Below six lines of finely penned legalese, Charles signs at left with his usual enormous signature in a different and somewhat lighter ink. Below this appears another sentence in a large flamboyant hand (which appears to refer to Provence) and huge ornate signature of an official. This atmospheric piece has been archivally free-floated against a cream matte with a surrounding raised cream matte, framed in a contemporary 1" walnut frame (overall dimensions 18½" X 16"). A beautiful display item.