Details
RICHELIEU, Armand Jean du Plessis, Cardinal, Duc de (1585-1642). Letter signed to 'Monsieur Le Surintendant A Paris', Reims, 16 July 1641, 1 page, folio, docketed by the recipient, address panel, red wax seals, remains of silk cords (slightly browned at edges, tiny nicks in right hand edge at folds).
A reply to the Superintendent of Finance [Claude Bouthillier] informing him of his negotiation with representatives of the clergy 'avec lesquels j'ay contesté comme vous ferez vous mesme, Vos fabriques sont sauvees, Vostre marc dor demeure en l'usage selon Lequel les choses ont esté auparavant que vous feussiez en charge'. As for the Amphiteoses, these gentlemen insist that they have never thought of giving them and have no right to do so. Richelieu enjoins the recipient to deal with the matter swiftly: 'Je me remets de tout a ce que Monsieur Le Chancelier et Vous feres mais je vous conjure de nous tirer promptement d'affaires'.
Written during Richelieu's manoeuvres to establish his control over the wealth of the church. Bouthillier had written at length to Richelieu four days earlier, after meeting delegates from the church, admitting 'Je m'estends un peu sur cet article tres important, y allant sur mon honneur, de deux millions pour les fabriques seulement'. Despite his status as cardinal, Richelieu frequently infringed the liberties of the clergy in the interest of consolidating the centralisation of power; he gained control of ecclesiastical finance to an extent unequalled in any other country. Claude Bouthillier (1581-1652), Comte de Chavigny, was secretary to Marie de Medicis, and introduced Mazarin to Richelieu. He was appointed Superintendent of Finance in 1632. Published in the Correspondance de Richelieu, ed. D.L.M Avenel (1853-77, vol. VI)
A reply to the Superintendent of Finance [Claude Bouthillier] informing him of his negotiation with representatives of the clergy 'avec lesquels j'ay contesté comme vous ferez vous mesme, Vos fabriques sont sauvees, Vostre marc dor demeure en l'usage selon Lequel les choses ont esté auparavant que vous feussiez en charge'. As for the Amphiteoses, these gentlemen insist that they have never thought of giving them and have no right to do so. Richelieu enjoins the recipient to deal with the matter swiftly: 'Je me remets de tout a ce que Monsieur Le Chancelier et Vous feres mais je vous conjure de nous tirer promptement d'affaires'.
Written during Richelieu's manoeuvres to establish his control over the wealth of the church. Bouthillier had written at length to Richelieu four days earlier, after meeting delegates from the church, admitting 'Je m'estends un peu sur cet article tres important, y allant sur mon honneur, de deux millions pour les fabriques seulement'. Despite his status as cardinal, Richelieu frequently infringed the liberties of the clergy in the interest of consolidating the centralisation of power; he gained control of ecclesiastical finance to an extent unequalled in any other country. Claude Bouthillier (1581-1652), Comte de Chavigny, was secretary to Marie de Medicis, and introduced Mazarin to Richelieu. He was appointed Superintendent of Finance in 1632. Published in the Correspondance de Richelieu, ed. D.L.M Avenel (1853-77, vol. VI)
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