Item 24: Letter from the Duke of York (Future King James II) to Monsieur Philippe I, Duke of Orléans [French Language], 1667 May 23
Item — Box: 2, Folder: 24
Dates
- Created: 1667 May 23
Creator
- James II, King of England, 1633-1701 (Person)
Disclaimer for Name and Subject Authorities
Some of the name and subject authority tags have been assigned by educated guessing and estimation of persons and subjects by region, age, profession, and familial relationships. They have been thoroughly researched by using primary and secondary sources available digitally, and named in each description, or in some cases linked directly to the person tag.
Access:
All series and subseries within this collection are open for research, with the exception of a few files within the Academia series that are restricted. The Academia series contains financial and sensitive institutional records from Wilkes College, and financial report records from Princeton University that will remain restricted for 80 years upon creation.
Extent
1 items
Language of Materials
From the Collection: English
Type of Material:
Letter
Condition Note:
Fair: document is browning, slight tear in the bottom left corner, ink beginning to fade, several stains
Measurements:
7 ⅝ in. x 5 ¾ in.
Description:
The following is a personal letter from the Duke of York (future King James II) to “Monsieur” (likely referring to Monsieur Philippe I, Duke of Orléans) sent from London on May 23, 1667. In the letter, the Duke of York informs the recipient of the death of his youngest son, Charles Stuart, Duke of Kendal. He continues on to write that he is worried about the health of his oldest son, James Stuart, Duke of Cambridge. The Duke of York mentions that due to his immense feelings of grief, he may not reach out as frequently; but he is still a loyal and respectful servant of the king (likely referring to King Louis XIV). Charles Stuart, Duke of Kendal died the day before this letter was written at the age of 10 months due to convulsions. James Stuart, Duke of Cambridge, became ill at the end of April 1667 possibly with smallpox or the bubonic plague. James Stuart eventually died on June 20th, 1667, at the age of 3. These losses were especially hard for the Duke of York, and the nation feared what would happen as the Duke of York was left with no surviving sons at that time. Although he would bear a son later in September of 1667, the Duke of York would have no sons that survived into adulthood until the birth of James Francis Edward Stuart in 1688. The Duke of York addresses this letter to the “Monsieur of Your Majesty” and signs it as “the very affectionate brother, cousin, and servant.” The Duke of York is the cousin of King Louis XIV, and “Monsieur” is the official title given to the oldest brother of the king. This letter is very likely addressed to Monsieur Philippe I, Duke of Orléans. It is also written a year or two before the Duke of York and his wife took the Catholic Eucharist, which would ultimately contribute to significant strife during his reign as king. The Duke of York likely had a good relationship with his relatives in France, as the Duke was welcomed by King Louis XIV during his exile from England in 1690. This document is signed as “Jacques,” a signature used by the future King James II before he rose to the throne. Upon ascending to the throne, he became King James II of Ireland and England and King James VII of Scotland.
Location:
London, England
Transcription:
[Front]
de Londres ce 23
May, 1667:
Monsieur,
La bonté de V: Mate: [likely Votre Majesté] m’ayant donné assez de suject [sic] [sujet] de massurer [m’assurer] de la part que V: Ma: [Votre Majesté] prend dans mes interests [sic] [intérêts], je me trouve obligé de luy [sic] [lui] communiquer l’affliction que m’accable par la mort du Duc de Kendall [sic] [Kendal], le cadet de mes deux fils, ayant encore beaucoup d’accroissement a [sic] [à] ma douleur par la malady [sic] [maladie] du Duc de Cambridge mon fils aisne [sic] [aîné]
[Back] qui n’est^ pas hors de danger, V: Ma: [Votre Majesté] pardonnera a [sic] [à] ma juste douleur si je ne m’estands [sic] [m'étends] pas^ davantage que pour luy [sic] [lui] supplier d’estre [sic] [d'être] persuadé que je suis avec tout sorté [sic] [sorte] de respect.
Monsieur de V:Ma: [Votre Majesté] Le tres [sic] [très] affectionne [sic] [affectionné] frere [sic] [frère] cousin et serviteur(?) Jacques [Signature] Jame II as Duke of York [in pencil; likely archivist’s notes]
Translation Attempt: From London, this 23 May, 1667:
Monsieur, The goodness of Your Majesty, having given me enough on the subject to assure me of the share which Your Majesty takes in my interests, I find myself obliged to communicate to you the affliction which overwhelms me by the death of the Duke of Kendal, the youngest of my two sons, still significantly increased by my grief for the illness of the Duke of Cambridge, my eldest son, who is not yet out of danger, Your Majesty will forgive my rightful grief if I am do not extend myself more than to beg you to be convinced that I am full of every kind of respect.
Monsieur of Your Majesty The very affectionate brother, cousin, and servant Jacques [Signature]
La bonté de V: Mate: [likely Votre Majesté] m’ayant donné assez de suject [sic] [sujet] de massurer [m’assurer] de la part que V: Ma: [Votre Majesté] prend dans mes interests [sic] [intérêts], je me trouve obligé de luy [sic] [lui] communiquer l’affliction que m’accable par la mort du Duc de Kendall [sic] [Kendal], le cadet de mes deux fils, ayant encore beaucoup d’accroissement a [sic] [à] ma douleur par la malady [sic] [maladie] du Duc de Cambridge mon fils aisne [sic] [aîné]
[Back] qui n’est^ pas hors de danger, V: Ma: [Votre Majesté] pardonnera a [sic] [à] ma juste douleur si je ne m’estands [sic] [m'étends] pas^ davantage que pour luy [sic] [lui] supplier d’estre [sic] [d'être] persuadé que je suis avec tout sorté [sic] [sorte] de respect.
Monsieur de V:Ma: [Votre Majesté] Le tres [sic] [très] affectionne [sic] [affectionné] frere [sic] [frère] cousin et serviteur(?) Jacques [Signature] Jame II as Duke of York [in pencil; likely archivist’s notes]
Translation Attempt: From London, this 23 May, 1667:
Monsieur, The goodness of Your Majesty, having given me enough on the subject to assure me of the share which Your Majesty takes in my interests, I find myself obliged to communicate to you the affliction which overwhelms me by the death of the Duke of Kendal, the youngest of my two sons, still significantly increased by my grief for the illness of the Duke of Cambridge, my eldest son, who is not yet out of danger, Your Majesty will forgive my rightful grief if I am do not extend myself more than to beg you to be convinced that I am full of every kind of respect.
Monsieur of Your Majesty The very affectionate brother, cousin, and servant Jacques [Signature]
Creator
- James II, King of England, 1633-1701 (Person)
Repository Details
Part of the Wilkes University Archives Repository
Contact:
84 W South St.
Wilkes-Barre PA 18701 US
570-408-2000
570-408-7823 (Fax)
ask.archives@wilkes.edu
84 W South St.
Wilkes-Barre PA 18701 US
570-408-2000
570-408-7823 (Fax)
ask.archives@wilkes.edu