MARY OF HUNGARY: (1505-1558)

MARY OF HUNGARY: (1505-1558) Also known as Mary of Austria. Queen consort of Hungary and Bohemia as the wife of Louis II of Hungary. She was the younger sister of Holy Roman Emperor Charles V. She was later appointed Governor of the Habsburg Netherlands by her brother, she continuously attempted to ensure peace between the Emperor and the King of France, and despite the fact that she never enjoyed governing and asked for permission to resign several times, the Queen succeeded in creating a unity between the provinces, as well as in securing for them a measure of independence from both France and the Holy Roman Empire. Very rare D.S., `Marie´, one page, 4to, vellum, Brussels, 27th June 1541, to Madame de Lalaing, in old French. The Queen refers to the next future wedding between the niece of Charles V and the Duke of Lorraine, a wedding of high political importance, and invites her correspondent to attend it, stating `Madame de Lalaing, Je tiens que êtes avertie que de bref se doit trouver en ce lieu mon cousin le marquis du Pont pour faire les épousailles avec Madame la duchesse douairière de Milan ma bonne nièce, et voyant qu´elle est si proche parente à Sa Majesté et à moi, je désire que pour y avoir tant meilleur compagnie, que vous venez aux dites épousailles, par quoi vous requiers que vous veuillez trouver en cette ville le VIIº jour du mois de Juillet. en tant que le jour de la solemnisation desdites noces, est accordé au Xº de celui mois, et vous ferez service à Sa Majesté et à moi singulier plaisir...´ (Translation: "Madame de Lalaing, I wish to inform you that my cousin, the Marquis du Pont, is to be in this place shortly to marry my dear niece, the Dowager Duchess of Milan. Seeing that she is such a close relative to His Majesty and myself, I desire that you attend the said wedding, for the sake of such excellent company. Therefore, I request that you be in this city on the 7th day of July, as the day of the wedding ceremony is set for the 10th of that month. Your presence will give His Majesty and me a singular pleasure.") With a paper seal affixed to the verso. Also addressed to the verso. Small overall minor creasing, with two very small holes not affecting the text or signature. With slightly uneven edges. G

Marguerite of Croy (1508-1549) spouse of Charles II of Lalaing.

The wedding the letter refers to was between François Iº, Duke of Lorraine with Christine of Denmark (1521-1590) niece of Charles V and widow of François II Sforza, Duke of Milan. The wedding was due to a political and diplomatic decision trying to grant the neutrality of the Duchy of Lorraine in the conflict opposing Charles V and François I.