HENRIETTA MARIA (1609-1669). Queen of Charles I.
Autograph Letter Signed ('henriette marie R') in French to her son, Charles II, 1½ pages 4to (somewhat faded ink, old repair to the fold), Paris, 30 April 1655. Written while they were in exile, the Queen expresses her relief at hearing of her son's safe arrival in Cologne and her continuing hopes for the realisation of their aspirations.

'puis qu'il n'a pas encores pleu a dieu de faire reusir vos deseings comme nous orions desiré il fault esperer que i se presentera d'autres occations ...'

Charles and his brothers had been in Flanders fighting with the Spanish armies against France. The reckless brothers narrowly escaped disaster, Charles only just escaping with his life at Mardyke and York and Gloucester coming uncomfortably close to capture in the seige of Dunkirk.
The integral autograph address leaf ('Au Roy / Monsieur mon fils') bears two impressions of her black wax seal with remnants of silk ties; contemporary endorsement from the papers of the Dukes of Ormonde, stamp of Kilkenny Castle.
[No: 7759]