King Louis XIII

King Louis XIII (27 September 1601 – 14 May 1643) Monarch of the House of Bourbon, authentic, autographed manuscript document (DS). This circa 1618 document is approximately 9" x 12" in size.

Louis ruled as King of France from 1610 to 1643 and as King of Navarre (as Louis II) from 1610 to 1620. Following his time as Louis II the crown of Navarre was merged to the French crown.

Louis' father was the great Henry IV for which Louis succeeded as King of France and Navarre a few months before his ninth birthday. His mother, Marie de' Medici, acted as regent during Louis's minority. Mismanagement of the kingdom and ceaseless political intrigues by Marie de' Medici and her Italian favourites led the young King to take power in 1617 by exiling his mother and executing her followers, including Concino Concini, the most influential Italian at the French court.

France's greatest victory in the conflicts against the Habsburg Empire during the period 1635-59 came at the Battle of Rocroi (1643), five days after Louis's death from apparent complications of intestinal tuberculosis. This battle marked the end of Spain's military ascendancy in Europe and foreshadowed French dominance in Europe under Louis XIV, his son and successor.

This untranslated document, crisply signed by Louis at the conclusion is in good to very good condition, with expected intersecting folds, including one fold through a single letter of signature. There is some overall light toning as well as some scattered creases and small tears.