5 - GUISE (Henri de Lorraine, Duke of). Signed letter to Guy de Lansac. Undated. 1 p. oblong in-4, with a later handwritten note in the upper margin; address on the spine with two red wax seals bearing coats of arms.

GUISE (Henri de Lorraine, Duke of). Signed letter to Guy de Lansac. Undated. 1 p. oblong in-4, with a later handwritten note in the upper margin; address on the spine with two red wax seals bearing coats of arms. Letter of credence for his envoy Marcellin de Roissieu: “You will hear from Monsieur de Roissieu, the present bearer whom I am sending to you, the full state of our affairs. He is very faithful and capable, having been present at everything that has taken place, so please believe him, and send me through him a full account of your affairs and everything you desire for your satisfaction, which he will provide; and upon his return, I shall not fail to give orders regarding whatever remains, as the person in the world who honors you most...” POWERFUL LEADER OF THE LEAGUE, THE RESOLUTE DUKE OF GUISE (1550–1588) was a relentless adversary of the Protestants and enjoyed greater popularity in Paris than King Henry III—for which he was assassinated on December 23, 1588. AS LEADER OF THE LEAGUE IN THE BORDEAUX REGION, A FORMER “FAVORITE” OF THE DUKE OF ANJOU (who later became Henry III), GUY DE LANSAC temporarily abandoned the cause because, having fallen on hard times, he agreed to return to Henry III in 1588. After the regicide in 1589, he declared himself against Henry IV and rejoined the League. He was the grandson of Francis I through his father, Louis de Lansac, the king’s illegitimate son, who served as an officer, diplomat, and State Councilor, and was a trusted confidant of Catherine de’ Medici, though he ultimately proved to be sympathetic to the League. A SUPPLIER IN THE SERVICE OF THE LEAGUE AND THE SPANIARDS, THE FINANCIER MARCELLIN DE ROISSIEU had served as Treasurer of France in Grenoble and later in Orléans. A loyal supporter of the Duke of Mayenne, he had played a role in the Holy Union and was sent by Guise to Orléans in 1588 to prevent the royalist faction from retaking the city.