25 - HENRY II. Letter signed “Henry,” countersigned by his Secretary of Commandments and Finances, Jean Duthier, [addressed to the DUKE OF PARMA, OCTAVE FARNESE]. No place, [May or June 1552]. 2 folio pages; heavy marginal water stains with modern restoration affecting a few letters.

HENRY II. Letter signed “Henry,” countersigned by his Secretary of Commandments and Finances, Jean Duthier, [addressed to the DUKE OF PARMA, OCTAVE FARNESE]. No place, [May or June 1552]. 2 folio pages; heavy marginal water stains with modern restoration affecting a few letters. OCTAVE FARNESE, MAJOR BENEFICIARY OF THE “WAR OF PARMA.” As part of the military rivalry that had pitted France against Charles V for several decades, the “War of Parma” in 1551 and 1552 pitted the emperor and Pope Julius III against the Duke of Parma, Octave Farnese, who was supported by Henry II. Following the Duke of Parma’s successes, Henry II demanded the return of his property that had been confiscated by his enemies. “MY COUSIN, HAVING SENT TO MY AMBASSADOR IN ROME [Louis de Saint-Gelais de Lanssac] THE RATIFICATION OF THE TREATY ON THE CONTINUATION AND SUSPENSION OF HOSTILITIES, I could not help but write to him and likewise to Cardinal Du Bellay [Jean Du Bellay] that, upon presenting the said ratification to our Holy Father, they should make every possible appeal to him so thathe agree and consent to compel your subjects and vassals who have defected to him to henceforth fulfill their duties toward you and return to your obedience as they were before the War of Parma. Furthermore, persuading His Holiness to press the Imperial forces to RESTITUTE THE PLACES, LANDS, AND LORDSHIPS THAT THEY HAVE TAKEN AND OCCUPIED IN PARMA DURING THE AFOREMENTIONED WAR IN THE NAME OF HIS HOLINESS, having omitted nothing from the contents of the memorandum except for this, which was delivered by Chevalier Thiburce [Tiburzio Burzio, chargé d’affaires for Cardinal Alexander Farnese] on your behalf. As for the rest, my cousin, you will have heard how the Cardinal of England, the legate [Reginald Pole, future Archbishop of Canterbury] of our Holy Father, came to me to negotiate peace, and seeing that he had been unable to bring anything from the Emperor regarding said negotiations other than general assurances, I responded to him in kind with certain articles in which I have not omitted you, for your understanding and the restitution of what is being withheld and occupied from you. My cousin, insofar as the execution of any undertaking of importance for my service and the good of my affairs (as I shall make known to you hereafter), I MAY NEED TO USE THREE CANNONS AND SOME OF YOUR GUNPOWDER AND AMMUNITION, TOGETHER WITH A NUMBER OF HARKEBUSIERS FROM THE RANKS OF YOUR OLD SOLDIERS, which will be replenished with new recruits. I ask that, at the request and urging of Mr. de Fourquevaulx, a gentleman of my chamber [Raymond de Beccarie, Sieur de Fourquevaux, a man of war, military theorist and diplomat, then serving as Commissioner General and Paymaster in charge of the financial organization of military operations, stationed at La Mirandole and Parma], who is with you, that you assist and support me; and consequently, from your two companies of light cavalrylight cavalry, which for this purpose you will order to be kept at full strength; and you will do me a most extraordinary favor, the usefulness and benefit of which may be shared by you and my other friends and allies across the sea. As you will hear in due time and place. I wish to inform you that I AM NOW FINALIZING MY PREPARATIONS FOR WAR, hoping that by the end of May I will be ready to do whatever time and circumstances permit, as Captain Franchiot [?] one of my serving squires, the bearer of this letter, which I am sending to Siena to Sir Peter [the condottiere Piero Strozzi, who was defending Siena in alliance with the French]... ”