|
Post by huillaume on Aug 17, 2023 11:12:55 GMT
(July 1637)
Cher Georges,
Again I heard the Spanish Frontier Regiment has been able to keep our border (and our ancestral lands) safe. I hope you can enjoy this peaceful months.
The court has left Paris and me, having no office there, have remained in the Citée. I profited from those calm times to attend a sung mass with jean Baptiste, who has finally calmed down. It’s a good experience, albeit it was in quite a humble parish. I made a good donation for the poor people who attend it, as they really seem to need some help.
I also devoted some time to keep painting, this time with better results, and to keep with my lectures in the Military academy, hoping to help young officers as it helped me when I joined the army.
At the end of the month Jean Baptiste and myself attended a soirée at the mansion of the Vescomtes of Torcy. I took some Armagnac to help with the party, but I guess I drank a little too much of it, as (according what I’ve been told, as I don’t remember it well) I fell the stairs down. The bruises in my leg seem to confirm this…
All Paris is surprised by the arrest of the Commissioner of Public safety, the Vescomte of Ploèrmel (Doctor De’Ath, I’ve already told you about him some times) with the charges of possession of stolen documents. Rumors run free along the city, from claiming he has asked the Army to revolt to free him (something that could add charges for high treason if they were true) to he claims those documents prove the treachery of some high ministers (the Minister of War among them). He’s now held in prison outside Lyon, as I’ve heard and will be judged in September…
Whatever the result (and if the trial is presided by the Minister of Justice, one must remember the Commissioner arrested him in February, so his future seems bleak), this is no good for HM Government, as it shows publicly an internal backstabbing that will help no one…
Please, embrace our brothers and kiss our sisters for me. Huillaume
|
|
|
Post by huillaume on Sept 1, 2023 17:15:22 GMT
(August 1637)
Cher Georges,
I hope you’re all well
I’ve been given the command of the Savoy border, and currently fighting the rebels in the zone, that I’m sure are supported by the Habsburg (and probably the Savoyards too). Those cowards don’t show up for battle, though, mostly resorting to banditry tactics…
News have reached me that Dr. De’ath, the imprisoned Commissioner for Public safety has been freed by an assault to the jail he was on. Curious times those on which the Commissioner asks people to revolt and is pursued by the Kings forces…
Well, I must leave you now to plan for the next month… I must try to take those elusive rebels to fight if I want to finish this campaign successfully. I guess General Bully would be laughing at me in his monthly column in La Voix de Paris…
Please, embrace our brothers and kiss our sisters for me. Huillaume
|
|
|
Post by huillaume on Oct 7, 2023 16:16:52 GMT
(September 1637)
Cher Georges,
I hope you’re all well
Those rebel Savoyards sure know how to hide. The cowards act more as bandits than as soldiers, hitting unprotected positions and then running to their hideouts in the mountains, and I don't know well enough the zone to find them. Not even the soldiers in the Savoy Frontier regiment, more familiarized with the zone than myslef, are able to find them, and we have only been able to find one of their bases. I've been commended by my efforts, but I cannot say I'm happy with the results...
Remember what I commetned you about the CPS, Dr De'ath? It seems he has taken refuge on Spain, and that he was in fact a Spanish spy! Can you believe it? Live to see, as it's said.
Please, embrace our brothers and kiss our sisters for me. Huillaume
|
|
|
Post by huillaume on Oct 7, 2023 16:23:16 GMT
(Octoberr 1637)
Cher Georges,
I've heard the situation in the southern border is moveing again aas the Spaniards have been more active... Please, be prudent and keep our family safe.
I'm in Paris again, and His Majesty has honored me by making me the Governor of the city, so I'm again busy with official issues. Jean Baptiste is quite happy with it, though...
The Grand Duc of Chévreuse has hosted a Grand Ball this month at his chateau. I prefered not to attend, as our relations are not good right now, despite my best efforts to regain his firendship. He's a good man, but it seems still blinded by his sister's feelings. I've heard it was a true success, and most people talk about its magnificence.
This month we went to know his family. Her mother seemed very happy to know me, and we were very courtesly hosted by her. They live near Paris, so it was not a long trip. After reciving her blessing for it, I have asked marriage to Jean Baptiste, and she has accepted. So be ready to travel to Paris again for my wedding, that we plan probably for November. I'll be glad to see you all again.
We will have a ball in my chateau to celebrate it this October. I hope she knows how to organize this kind of events, as I'm quite lost with the minutia it represents...
Please, embrace our brothers and kiss our sisters for me. I hope to see you all for my wedding. Huillaume
|
|
|
Post by huillaume on Nov 5, 2023 19:20:31 GMT
(November 1637)
Cher Georges,
I hope you’re all well. I’ve heard the Frontier Regiments have sent the Spanish again across the Pyrenees, though without really defeating them. I hope they will stay at their side for the Winter…
This month Jean Baptiste and myself attended the racehorses again. Unfortunately Silver Kitten was the fourth, so no prize, but the races were exciting, and the Crown Prince honored us by visiting our box and having some refreshments (as he calls strong drinks) with us.
We held our engagement party. Jean Baptiste knows how to host one (quite better than myself, that’s for sure) and people enjoyed it. Even the Crown Prince, or the Grand Duc Maximillian and the Archduke Leopold attained, aside from my friend le Vescomte de Torcy (who has accepted to be my best man in the wedding) and many others. Some complained about the music, but I didn’t feel it to be so bad, and I felt inspired to dance with Jean Baptiste…
We also attended a Royal Ball, where we had another opportunity to dance and share the time with the court (and for Jean Baptiste to drink a little more than she should. I guess she’s nervous for the upcoming wedding).
Well, I look forward seeing you all at my wedding this November. I've ordered to ready rooms for you all in my chateau.
Please, embrace our brothers and kiss our sisters for me. Huillaume
|
|
|
Post by huillaume on Mar 19, 2024 19:39:41 GMT
(December 1637)
Cher Georges,
I hope you had a peasant return to home after attending my wedding. I’m glad to hear the frontier keeps quiet. I guess the coming winter keeps those Spaniards from trying anything fool…
It’s been nice to have you as guests, and the children have enjoyed your company. I hope it’s also been pleasant for you this visit to the Citée, and I hope you will come again soon, without the need of something like a wedding.
Please, embrace our brothers and kiss our sisters for me. Huillaume
|
|
|
Post by huillaume on Mar 19, 2024 19:40:00 GMT
(January 1638)
Cher Georges,
I keep being glad to hear the Spaniards don’t dare to move this winter. It’s been long since the border has been quiet for so long.
Here in Paris I’m enjoying my newly wed life with Jean Baptiste. We have attended two royal balls this December, one to honor the Duc of Savoy envoy, and the other one to celebrate Christmas.
This aside, the month has been quiet, and the King seems to have accepted me on his most inner circle, but court is volatile, and I don’t know for how long…
I’m eager to see how my first breed horse race will perform next month in the Futurity…
Please, embrace our brothers and kiss our sisters for me. Huillaume
|
|
|
Post by huillaume on Mar 19, 2024 19:40:16 GMT
(February 1638)
Cher Georges,
I hope you’re enjoying the long time of relative peace the Spaniards are maintaining in our southern border.
Here in Paris, Firstborn, my first breed race horse has made the second place in the Futurity. Not bad for the first one produced by my horse farm. Even Grand Duc Max visited us in my box to talk about the race..
Jean Baptiste and I attended again the Theatre. It was too long since last time I attended it, and the play was really good, we enjoyed it quite a lot.
I have had the first Parliament session as a Governor. I guess I’m not used to it, and I’m not sure if my speech was the most adequate for the occasion. I guess I still have to make myself to the post, but the Parliament meeting went smooth nonetheless…
Please, embrace our brothers and kiss our sisters for me. Huillaume
|
|
|
Post by huillaume on Mar 19, 2024 19:40:48 GMT
(March 1638)
Cher Georges,
It’s good to know the Spaniards keep aiming at other fronts and leave our ancestral lands at peace…
In Paris this has been a month full of Royal Balls, and Jean Baptiste and I attended 3 of them. We met the Grand Duc of Chévreuse on them, but he keeps not talking to me after the problems I had with his sister. I doubt he will ever forgive me, despite keeping thinking I did no wrong, as it was she began another relation… On one of the Balls the King announced Queen Anne is pregnant, and the Heir is expected to be born in autumn! let's all rejoice!
I also attended the St Denis Stakes, as a guest of the Vescomte de Torcy. We enjoyed the races. His horse made second place in a very tense final…
Please, embrace our brothers and kiss our sisters for me. Huillaume
|
|
|
Post by huillaume on Mar 19, 2024 19:41:05 GMT
(April 1638)
Cher Georges,
I heard the border keeps quiet, but I’m not sure this will last. The Minister of state has decided to open three fronts this summer. It seems he’s more concerned on military matters than on economic ones. Doesn’t he realize that we cannot afford to ruin the country on a war as the Spaniards are doing? And we don’t have their seemingly endless American gold reserves…
His month the court has been travelling to Burgundy, but I decided to remain in Paris and attend the Downs horserace. It was my turn to invite le Vescomte de Torcy to my owner’s box for the Races. My horse placed again this time, only won by the King’s own. We also attended the christening of Livia Balls, the newborn daughter of the Vescomte, along with the subsequent reception at their mansion.
This aside, with the Paris life so calm, I could dedicate again some time to painting, while waiting for the Court to return the next month. The King has even ordered to postpone the Derby so that he could attend
Please, embrace our brothers and kiss our sisters for me. Huillaume
|
|
|
Post by huillaume on Mar 19, 2024 19:41:22 GMT
(May 1638)
Cher Georges,
I guess the nature will be blossoming now in Gascony as the Spring begins… I long for it at times, more so now that you’ve enjoyed some months of relative peace…
Here in Paris, we attended the Derby, but the now Bishop de Pooh, who I’ve invited, could not attend it. I guess church affairs may be as demanding as government ones… My mare Silver Kitten placed again. I’m quite proud of her, but I guess she will deserve retirement soon, as she’s getting old.
I devoted again part of the month to painting. You know it has always been a good hobby for me. I also attended my first hunt in the court. Not that it seemed to me anything special, but it was an interesting experience nonetheless…
Please, embrace our brothers and kiss our sisters for me. Huillaume
|
|
|
Post by huillaume on Mar 19, 2024 19:41:43 GMT
(June1638)
Cher Georges,
As I was fearing, the Minister of War has decided that the Spanish border will be one of the active this summer. So please, take care and prepare for it, as you’re unfortunately too used to. Troops are mustering now in Paris for the march to the borders.
This month there has been a Royal Ball again, even though the Queen needs some rest in her pregnancy. We attended it, and again new met the Grand Duc of Chévreuse there, who again ignored me. He was given another barony for the services he keeps doing for the Crown. I also met with the King to discuss the affairs of the Citée.
I attended again the Paris Parliament. It seems I’m catching its management, as this time my speech seemed to have more effect on the members.
Please, embrace our brothers and kiss our sisters for me. Huillaume
|
|
|
Post by huillaume on Mar 19, 2024 19:42:04 GMT
(July 1638)
Cher Georges,
I’ve heard war not going too well on the Spanish Border. Please, be careful again.
Paris social life is quite low with most gentlemen being on Campaign. Nonetheless we attended a reception of an envoy form the Holy Roman Empire. Not being on the diplomatic corps I don’t know what they told about, but the fact they send an envoy just as our armies are attacking may give us some hope. It was quite a cold reception, though…
I attended the Parliament again, and it seems my speeches there are improving again. The session was quiet, though, as tome of the members serve also in the Army.
I also gave a lecture at the Military academy for the officers that have remained in the Citée. Of course, not many students attended, but this also allowed us to enter in more detail. I hope that helps them when the time arrives, as it served well me when I attended it as a pupil, so long ago now…
Please, embrace our brothers and kiss our sisters for me. Huillaume
|
|