MARGARET OF AUSTRIA (1522-1586, natural daughter of Emperor Charles V and Regent of the Netherlands, 1559-1567, wife, 1542, of Ottavio Farnese, Duke of Parma)

Fine Letter Signed  'Margarita d'Austria',  in Italian with translation and transcription, to her agent Ernando della Puente in Civitaducale (a Farnese possession between Rieti and L'Aquila, modern Cittaducale), saying that "Three days ago we received a letter from you without signature or date, certain part of which we intended to deal with, and some other matters which appear to us of very little moment, and which do not deserve such a fuss as would place a Territory of ours under suspicion without reason", then came a duplicate and a further letter of the 24th.August, containing "nothing of importance" and "not worth the expense of sending here", her most pressing need is for money, "as we find ourselves without a farthing and with a sizeable debt incurred on our recent journey from Flanders", he is to send to her in Milan any revenue the treasurer has to hand via "those merchants of L'Aquila", and not to Naples because "the money of Naples has so risen that one cannot dig money out of there without great loss, and it is now twenty months since we have been able to get a farthing out of your State or from Naples, and we are forced to live on money we have begged for at interest", alternatively via any ambassadors travelling under safe conduct, or most safely "by bills of exchange on Milan when that can be done without loss", she commends the officer she has sent out to Civitaducale, "a doctor from Città di Castello, a very worthy man", although he "comes from the States of the Church, the Duke of Alba should not make an issue of it, because he is a person most devoted to the service of our Lord the King ... he has a brother who serves His Majesty as Captain of Infantry so that he can give a report about him to His Excellency as may be necessary", meanwhile she will not summon della Puente but "would be pleased in any event if you were to come. We are sure that the sea voyage to Venice is today very safe both for Spaniards and for everybody else", with a postscript, "Messer Francesco Guglielmi is hardly ever in Rome ... he serves us in our affairs there as he sees fit, but not as might be needed, and it will be as well to provide for ourselves ... Tell the men of your City from us that they are to treat the new officer ... well", endorsed "received the 19th September 1557 replied the 23rd of the same", with her papered seal as Duchess of Parma, 3 sides 11¼" x 7¾" and address on side 4, Piacenza, 6th September defective at inner margin of central fold and at foot of main fold with loss in all of 7 letters (easily supplied), impression of papered seal a little weak but lettering clear, otherwise in good condition

Margaret was the third of three energetic women Regents of the Netherlands, following her two aunts. Her marriage led to her son Alessandro Farnese continuing the family tradition.

Item Date:  1557

Stock No:  54541      £875

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