"having writ a base booke to proove the kings murther lawfull, the Duke putt him into close prison"

Elizabeth Stuart, Electress of the Palatinate, Queen of Bohemia, the "Winter Queen" (1596-1662). Autograph letter signed ("Elizabeth").

€ 12.500,00

A remarkable letter to Charles II, crowned King only a few months earlier at Scone, in a ceremony recognised only by Scotland. Soon after, the kingdom would be conquered by Cromwell and the royalist cause defeated at the Battle of Worcester on 3 September 1651. Elizabeth had by this time been living in exile in the Hague for decades. She here provides encouraging news of the level of support for the Stuart cause amongst the princes of the Holy Roman Empire; their disquiet at the Republican regime was naturally fed by the regicide, as is revealed by her report of how a professor at Tübingen was almost burned at the stake for writing a book justifying the execution:

"My dearest Nephue, Since my last to your Ma[jes]tie I have receaved a letter from [William] Curtius that at Francfort all the Princes deputies assembled there did come to him to congratulate your coronation & that one Dr Seifrid professor at Tubing in the Duke of Wirtembergs countrie having writ a base booke to proove the kings murther lawfull, the Duke putt him into close prison and had the booke burnt by the hangmans hande, and condemned the authour to the fire, but he was saved by great intercession and banished for ever the countrie. The Electors of Ments and Collein shew much affection to you also and all the Princes and townes, espetialie Francfort, Curtius thinks it woulde doe your Ma[jes]tie much service to give him command and letters to thanke them for theire congratulating your crowning. I beleave secretarie Nichlas doth write more fullie of it to you by Broughton, you will heere of the high business betwixt my sonne and theire pretended Ambassadours, whome Ned called by theire true names, I dare trouble you no further at this time having just reason to aske your pardon for doing it so much now by so manie letters, this bearer comes from my dear Godsonne who is, most trulie affectionate and obedient to you so is your Ma[jes]tie's Most humble and most affectionat Aunt and servant Elizabeth".

Elizabeth Stuart, Electress of the Palatinate by marriage to Frederick V, sister of the executed Charles I and aunt of Charles II, is also known as the "Winter Queen" because her reign as Queen over Bohemia lasted but one winter. This remarkable autograph letter still preserves her armorial seal, in black wax, and some silk threads; it is also possible to see how the letter was originally folded to be delivered.