Beschreibung:

JAMES II, King of England (1685-1689). Letter signed with autograph subscription ('Vostre affectionne Frere Jacques R') to the Duke of Lorraine, Whitehall, 3 May 1688, in French, one page, 4to, integral address leaf, red wax seals over silk cord (small seal tear). WILLIAM III, King of England (1689-1702). Autograph letter signed (with initials, 'W.R.') to an unidentified correspondent (in Brussels), Limbeck, 2 September 1695, in French, 2 pages, 4to (small splits in centre fold, slightly browned). James II commends to his correspondent the Duke of St Albans, 'fils naturel du feu Roy mon frere', who wishes to join the Christian army (in the war with Turkey), 'Ce m'est une satisfaction particuliere que Son genie l'amene d'en faire sa premiere dans une Cause si juste et sous vostre Conduitte par laquelle les Armes Chretiennes ont jusques icy si glorieusement reussi'. Charles, Duke of Lorraine, brother-in-law to the Emperor Leopold, had joined Sobieski's army at the siege of Vienna in 1683, and defeated the Turks at Mohacs in 1687. The Duke of St Albans, the natural son of Charles II by Nell Gwynne, served with the Imperial army in the capture of Belgrade from its Ottoman defenders three months after the present letter was written. William III's letter, written immediately after the recovery of Namur from the French (in the war of the League of Augsburg), refers generally to military matters, asking his correspondent on which side of the river Dender the army should camp, and also declaring his intention of passing through Brussels. (2)