Description:

[King William III of England]
Wolfenbüttel, Germany?, April 18/28, 1692
William III Receives German Representatives From Holy Roman Empire Principality of Brunswick-Lüneburg During Nine Years' War
MLS

A 2pp manuscript letter in Latin addressed to King William III of England (1650-1702), introducing two representatives from the Duchy of Brunswick-Lüneburg, an imperial principality of the Holy Roman Empire, and thus one of William's allies in the transnational military pact known as the Grand Alliance. April 18/28, 1692. Issued from the ducal residence at "Guelfberbyti," possibly modern day Wolfenbüttel, Lower Saxony, Germany. Beautifully secretarially inscribed on laid watermarked bifold paper, and co-signed at its conclusion by the brother Dukes of Brunswick-Lüneburg: Rudolf Augustus (1627-1704), as "R Augusto"; and Anthony Ulrich (1633-1714), as "Antony Ulricus." A former collector has inscribed a document gloss on the blank third page as: "Letter from Rudolf Augustus and Antonio Ulricus, Brothers, and joint Dukes of Brunswick and Lunenburg, to King William of England, congratulating him on the victory obtained at Sace in 1692." Docketed on the outer leaf. Expected wear including gentle, even toning, isolated edge darkening, and flattened transmittal folds. The gutter and an area of loss along the right edge show evidence of professional restoration (silking). Unevenly trimmed. Else near fine. 7.75" x 12.25." Provenance: Ex-Conway Barker, 1987.

This highly flattering and courtly letter was sent to the English king William III, addressed as "Serenissime ac Potentissime Rex" or "Most Serene and Powerful King." The letter congratulated the king for his capable leadership during the ongoing conflict, which is almost certainly a reference to the Nine Years' War (1688-1697). This conflict, which pitted Louis XIV's France against England, the Netherlands, the Holy Roman Empire, and other allies, was precipitated by aggressive territorial French expansion. William III was the head of the Grand Alliance attempting to stymie Louis XIV's designs for a larger, more powerful "l'hexagone" (expanded French territory).

The letter serves as introduction to two representatives sent by the joint Dukes of Brunswick-Lüneburg, one a religious cleric, possibly from Marienhausen; and the other a statesman referred to as "Bernhardum Fridericum à Krosigk." A trusted counselor, Bernhard Friedrich von Krosigk (1656-1714) had been appointed Anthony Ulrich's delegate to The Hague in 1690.

At the conclusion of the letter, the brothers commend William III's justified war-making as a form of peace-keeping. The brothers conclude: "May that almighty God, the greatest, grant that your royal majesty may live, win, and flourish, and that a safe and tranquil peace may be restored to the entire Christian world as soon as possible and established to last for all time…"

The brothers Rudolf Augustus and Anthony Ulrich - in a remarkably rare instance of peaceful power-sharing - co-ruled as the Dukes of Brunswick-Lüneburg between 1685 and the elder brother's death in 1704. The Duchy of Brunswick-Lüneburg was located in modern day Lower Saxony, in northern-central Germany.

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

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  • Dimensions: 7.75" x 12.25"
  • Medium: MLS

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