27 - HENRY III (Henry of Valois, future king). Letter signed “Henry” with three handwritten words, addressed to the governor of Issoudun, Charles de Barbançois, Lord of Sarzay. “At the camp of Mursay” [in the present-day Deux-Sèvres department], December 28, 1568. 3/4 folio page, address on the back; water stain, two underlines in brown pencil.

HENRY III (Henry of Valois, future king). Letter signed “Henry” with three handwritten words, addressed to the governor of Issoudun, Charles de Barbançois, Lord of Sarzay. “At the camp of Mursay” [in the present-day Deux-Sèvres department], December 28, 1568. 3/4 folio page, address on the back; water stain, two underlines in brown pencil. “I have been informed that, contrary to and in violation of the letters of safe conduct from His Royal Highness my brother, and under some pretext, PEOPLE HAVE ENTERED THE HOMES OF THE LADIES OF VILLEMOR AND ROUSSILLON, sisters of the Lord of Cabrerez, bearing the name Byron, AND HAVE TAKEN THEM CAPTIVE AND HELD THEM PRISONER, where they remain to this day, WHICH I FIND VERY STRANGE AND CONTRARY TO THE EDICTS OF THE KING, MY BROTHER, given that the said young ladies live peacefully in their homes in accordance with those edicts. In doing so, it is only reasonable that they be treated and rewarded as befits those who make it their duty to observe them. For this reason, you shall give orders and ensure that the said ladies of Villemor and Roussillon are set free, allowing them to go to a place of safety wherever they wish, and even to La Chastre in Berry, where they are familiar with the surroundings. Without anyone hindering them in any way, on the contrary...” These are Gabrielle de Gontaut, wife of the Lord of Villemort (Léonard de Bridiers), and Isabeau or Jeanne de Gontaut (lady-in-waiting to Catherine de’ Medici and later to Queen Elizabeth of Austria), sisters of Jean de Gontaut-Biron, Lord of Cabrerets. THE LORD OF SARZAY WAS AN UNCOMPROMISING CATHOLIC WHO PERSECUTED PROTESTANTS, according to Théodore de Bèze: he had just besieged and captured the Château de Villemort (now in the commune of Chassignolles, in the Indre department, not far from Sarzay), where the Protestant Bridiers family resided. Charles IX wrote several letters to Charles de Barbançois in an attempt to temper his zeal.