CHARLES II | letter signed, to the Marquis de Lede, 25 March 1657

CHARLES II

LETTER SIGNED, TO GUILLAUME DE BETTE, MARQUIS DE LEDE, GOVERNOR OF DUNKIRK

requesting the release of Sir Leonard Buckner, who had been arrested on arrival in Dunkirk from England, as he was engaged in important work for the Spanish crown ("...quelques affaires d'importance au service du Roy Catholique Monsieur mon Frere..."), further asking that his request not be revealed to Don Alonso de Cardenas, with autograph subscription ("Votre affectionné Cousin"), in French, 1 page, 8vo, integral address leaf with remains of red wax seal impression, Bruges, 25 March 1657

This letter to the Governor of Dunkirk, then part of the Spanish Netherlands, dates from around the time of the Treaty of Paris, which allied Cromwell with Louis XIV against Spain. It seems likely that Leonard Buckner was a Royalist spy, perhaps using an assumed name. 

To view shipping calculator, please here