Huillaume Lagarde

[huillaume]

(April 1631)

Cher papa,

Spring is blooming in Paris, and weather is becoming warmer already, but not as much as it used to be in Béarne.

I’ve heard the Spanish are disturbing in the border. I hope our lands have not been affected. The Royal Equerry has not allowed me to volunteer my company to the front, but Lieutenant de la Azur (Dragon Guards), whose Regiment has departed Paris to defend out southern border, has promised me to take a look on you and our family. Please, treat him well if he visits you (I promised he could taste your Pacharan, please don’t fail me in this).

In Paris, Emelin and I attended two more balls this month, one in the Brandenburg Embassy (where we had the honor of showing those Germans how to dance) and a Royal one. Please, thank again mum for the dancing lessons she forced me to take.

I spent the rest of the month painting (you know how I love to paint too), while hoping the Equerry will allow me to come to fight those Spanish that are threatening our lands.

I also acquired a racehorse. A 3 years old mare named Lucky Star. I hope she will perform well this April in the Paris Derby…

Please, kiss mum and my sisters and embrace my brothers for me. Tell them I miss you all and I hope to be abler to join the troops in the border and to visit you while marching there.

Your loving son

Huillaume

[huillaume]

(May 1631)

Cher papa,

Spring in Paris is wonderful (while colder than in Gascony), but it seems to affect people as everywhere.

I attended the Derby to see my mare Lucky Star racing there. She didn’t made a good race, though, and was among the last to reach the goal (she finished 3rd, but counting from the last one). Nonetheless, I enjoyed it, and even won some money at the bets, by betting some long shoots…

I’ve kept updating my etiquette skills, and I attended the Royal Ball once again, but this time something happened between the King and Emelin. She doens't want to talk about it, but rumor is HM tried to make advances on her (it seems Royal Blood is also affected by spring), and she remained true to me, turning the advances down. I must be proud of her (I already told you she was loveable and honest, and it seems her love is true), though the King seems not to be pleased (to say he least). I’ve been advised by some friends to avoid the Court events for a prudent time (about a year), though the Queen seems more pleased and hinted me we will be welcome to any event she hosts in Tuileries…

Well, it seems Royal Balls have ended for us for a time. I guess I’ll paint again, or maybe I’ll visit you, if my other duties allow me, or go to front again (if the Royal Equerry allows me) to try to earn HM favor again by serving Him in the field…

Your loving son

Huillaume

[huillaume]

(June 1631)

Cher papa,

I hope you’re all well. For my part, this May has been again a mostly uneventful month in Paris.

I assisted t to ball in the Mansion of the Viscmete de Graville. Many people attended it ,and I had the honor to meet them all. He and his mistress, Mme. Helen Baque showed up to be good dancers to, so Emeline and I did not shine in the ball floor.

I’m thinking on going to the front again, if the Royal Equerry allows me to volunteer my Company. I really think we could be helpful there, though he seems to be quite concerned by the King’s security (as if someone would try anything against HM, but maybe he knows something I don’t).

Please, kiss mum and my sisters and embrace my brothers for me.

Your loving son

Huillaume

[huillaume]

(July 1631)

Cher papa,

I hope you’re all well. Paris is now socially nearly dead ,as many gentlemen are at the front and there are not many events (more so for me, as I cannot attend the court ones).

This month, Emelin and I attended the Royal Theater for first time. We hired a box and invited there a King’s Musketeer subaltern (someone Gabriel Lannes, a nice guy from Provence) to the first session of a new play called “Privates, stand on attention”. The theater is magnificient and many people attended. Shame the play was not to it…

The rest of the month has been uneventful, and I mostly dedicated myself to painting, something you know I love but I cannot always do…

This July a friend of mine will marry. She’s a lady called Helen Bacque, and will marry le Vescomte de Greville, Mr. Roland Gorne. I think I already told you about them, as I attended a ball in the Viscount’s mansion in May.

I’m not sure to be able to attend, though, as the situation In the frontiers is not good (I think you don’t need to be told about the Spanish border, but also in other fronts, including the Italian one, where our troops have been ambushed), and as Regular Army reserves are already committed, I asked again permission for my Company to join them in battle, as I feel we’re needed there. I know the King’s Equerry is weary about letting Royal Guards to the front, but this time I see the situation serious (but again don’t tell mum about it, as she uses to be concerned about me when I’m at the front).

Please, kiss mum and my sisters and embrace my brothers for me.

Your loving son

Huillaume

[huillaume]

(August 1631)

Cher papa,

Finally, the Royal Equerry didn’t allow me to take my Company to war. I guess he’s concerned for the King’s safety, but maybe he does not understand how serious the situation of our army is, attacked by four fronts and outnumbered in most of them. Nonetheless, this means I stood in Paris this month too.

So, I could attend the Vescomte Roland Gorne stag party and his wedding with Helen Baque, and not only to attend them, but to act as best man, as they honored me with this duty. I didn’t know they were so important in Paris society, I must admit, as they had a honor guard by members of the King’s Guard and the King’s Musketeers. I recognized some of the members of my Regiment among them …

I still miss you all, though, and hope to have the opportunity to escape home some day

Please, kiss mum and my sisters and embrace my brothers for me.

Your loving son

Huillaume

[huillaume]

(September 1631)

Cher papa,

I've heard war has again ravaged our lands, and I hope you'r eall well. According the rumours here, the Guard Dragoons have had to fight hard to oust the Spaniards...

About Paris, I guess youy already know about the King's illness. This has supended all court activities in Paris. I ordered (and attended, of course) a mass to pray for this health, but it seems he's not recovering, despite many people attending it and joining their pryers to mine. His doctor has been arested on suspicion of treason (some say he didn't try to heal HM). Of course this will be a grave case, as he would not only have betrayed the King, but also his vow...

At the end of the month I held a party t ounveis two more paintings. They have been quite praised, and it seems I'm making a name as painter, despite being just a hobby. I've even have been offered to teach painting i nthe University. Can you belive it?

In the party I aksed Emelin to marry, and she accepted, so we're planning to visit her family to ask for her hand. This is making me more nervous than facing the enemy... I'll tell you the result ,adn I hope to see you soon, if all goes well to attend my wedding.

Please, kiss mum and my sisters and embrace my brothers for me.

Your loving son

Huillaume

[huillaume]

(October 1631)

Cher papa,

Our beloved King’s helath seem to be finally improving, and that’s good news for all the kingdom.

Emelin and I travelled to her state in Burgundy to know her family. They are quite nice, and it was good to know them. They seem happy to see her married with me and gave us their blessing.

So, God allowing, we will marry in November, and I hope you will be able to assist. You can stay at my mansion here in Paris, as is large enough, and we’ll be glad to host you.

Please, kiss mum and my sisters and embrace my brothers. I hope to see you all son in Paris.

Your loving son

Huillaume

[huillaume]

(November 1631)

Cher papa,

This October has been full of social activity, with nearly constant Royal Balls in Toulleries, where I’m allowed to attend by the Queen, so I could enjoy those balls with Emelin and some friends.

We also attended the Steeplechase, where my mare Lucky Star ran, and won! I can be really proud of her (and the money for the prize and bets is also welcome).

I had the honor to attended Sieur de la Azur (and other war heroes) titling ceremony. You already know him from last Sumer campaign, and we attend the ball to celebrate. Emelin messed it again. She’s loveable, but has sometimes a strong will and a loose tongue. Can you believe she said that HM should keep his pants on? It was an embarrassing moment, I can swear (though I cannot but admire her valor, sometimes reaching recklessness, and the Queen seems to have been pleased)…

I love her, nonetheless, and we’ll marry this month. I expect you all to attend, of course, and I’ve sent some trusted men to accompany you (as roads are dangerous) and have your rooms in ready in my (from soon on our) mansion. I ‘m sure mum is already very nervous about this all.

Please, tell mum and my brothers and sisters I’m really looking forward to see you all here in Paris.

Your loving son

Huillaume

[huillaume]

(December 1631)

The Archbishop of Paris smiled as he watched Huillaume. who was nervously waiting for Ememlin in the altar of Notre Dame, dressed with great luxury. He’d seen this scene so many times, though His Grace…

Huillaume’s brother was with him, also looking the cathedral, crowded as few times has been, and whispering to him to calm him dawn. Hillaume looked also at the crowd. He could see most his friends and acquaintances, as well as many regimental comrades, among them, and felt relieved for it.

The music began and Emelin appeared, her beauty shining like a rising star, on the arm of his Grandfather, marching to the altar. Huillaume smiled relieved again, as he looked her.

The archbishop performed the ceremony, and after both accepted, they were a married couple and the crowd received there at the cathedral’s door, cheering for the newly married, . members of 4th Foot Guard company receiving them with a honor corridor.

The ball at the familiar mansion was also great, again with many people attending, and Huillaume and Emelin shining on the dancing floor, though some say they saw some sadness in Huillaume’s face after he had a talk with his father.

[huillaume]

(January 1632)

Huillaume looked at Emelin with sober face as she kneeled before the grave. He wanted to leave her a moment for herself, while he remembered his brother Luc. After so much time longing for home, having to return for his funeral was not what he had expected.

Not even seeing some of his family and childhood friends has comforted his grief, though he has had the opportunity to talk a little with them, and he has known the girl that caused the duel where Luc has died. He saw Luc has been quite popular in the zone until his death, and Huillaume daydreamed remembering their childhood.

He shaked his head, returning to present and watched Emelin once again. She seemed to have finished her prayers and was leaving a bouquet of flowers over the grave. Huillaume moved to her and put his hand on her shoulder, comforting her.

-It’s time to go, darling –he said to her. - It’s becoming late, and tomorrow we must leave for Paris again.

He then drew his rapier and made a military salute to the grave and the adjacent one, and both looked the inscriptions in the graves before leaving:

RIP Raoul Jardin,
Lieutenant Dragoon Guards
True to his vows, he died bravely for France in May 1630

RIP Gervais Adrien Piquet
Ensign Royal Foot Guards
True to his vows, he died bravely for France in April 1630

Also Daniel Dompteur (AR), Massif Orne Cheval (QOC), Xavier Bouisset (AD), Brutus le Chemisrouge (FrR), Bertrand Marchand and many other. Yes, Huillaume remembered, 1630 Campaign has been bloody in Béarne when the Spainiards invaded…



OOC: I adapted the ranks and units to current rules.

[huillaume]

(February 1632)

Cher papa,

I hope you’re all well at home, as news about Spanish treachery have reached Paris. I’ve been denied (again) the permission to take my Company to combat, as the Royal Equerry wants the Guards near the King (on the other hand, I was awarded the Croix de la Cité for good service, and, though I partially agree with General Boulle (rtd) that medals should better be won in battlefield, I won't complain for it). So, I devoted most of the month to attend the Military Academy, so that when I’m allowed I’ll be better prepared to serve HM and lead my troops, as I'm keeping grief for Luc and not in the mood to attend socila events (not even the wedding of Sieur de la Azur, though I sent him my best wishes).

Remember I had a duel pendant on my return? This coward did not appear. For what I’ve heard he has taken refuge I na church to flee the Commissioner, and while there he has proclaimed himself Messiah. Can you believe it? The Church authorities seem to have withdrawn him their protection, and rumor is he could even be accused of heresy. Maybe the rumor he’s possessed by devil is true… I don’t know about those matters, and better to leave them to the Church doctors.

Please kiss mum and my sisters and embrace my brothers for me, and take care if there are combats near.

Your loving son

Huillaume

[huillaume]

(March 1632)

Cher papa,

I hope you’re all well at home. Here in Paris things keep quiet, and I finished my course on the Military Academy and attended administration classes too, as now I have to manage Emelin’s state (and ready myself for when I can redeem my Barony).

The minister of State has honored me with the Commissioner for Public Safety post , and I tried to have this self-proclaimed messiah (or emperor, depending on his mood) I told you about, but can you believe he killed the priest that had given him refuge and then committed suicide? He must really have been mad or possessed by Devil, to carry on such sacrileges…

I’m taking my Company to war again, as France is threatened from several sides, the Habsburgs keep scheming against us, it seems, and have mobilized their allies). I received this time the Royal Equerry’s blessing, but I could not convince the Adjutant General to be sent to the Spanish border, being sent to Lorraine border instead (it seems the Imperial troops are invading there, and maybe my troops are really needed). Please, try to minimize the risk when telling mum about that…

Please kiss mum and my sisters and embrace my brothers for me, and take care if there are combats near.

Your loving son

Huillaume

[huillaume]

(April 1632)

Cher papa,

I’ve heard the southern frontier combats have been (once again) quite bloody, but I understand this time they are more in the Eastern Pyrinees, so I hope they have not affected you.

As for me, I have some feeling of déjà vu… Commanders more brave than competent (this time at Regiment level, more than Generalship) and bad luck has put me again into the fray, and took me by surprise, making useless anything I can have learned at the Academy. The Lt Colonel commanding the Lorraine Regiment paid it with his life, though (God have him).

As always, my men fought like lions, and we could retreat in order (unlike the Borderers), and I’ve made a Brigadier for my services, General Bulle’s comments notwithstanding. I don’t know what he has against me, as he always criticizes me. Do you believe he dares to say it was time for me to go to real combat, as if I had not tried hardly enough?

Again, only the RNHB made their grade (God bless those battle hardened soldiers), but we had to resort (also, again) to defense behind our fortifications while waiting for the reinforcements, and the Habsburg have laid siege to us. The new Regiment commander seems more experienced, though, and I trust he will not repeat the blunders of his predecessor, who was too eager to fight hardly (I keep hoping serving under a competent commander, for a change)…

Do you see why I talked about a feeling of déjà vu?

Please, try to smooth all those news when telling them to mum, as you know how she used to worry about me.

Please kiss mum and my sisters and embrace my brothers for me, and take care if there are combats near.

Your loving son

Huillaume

[huillaume]

(May 1632)

Cher papa,

First of all, I hope you’re well and war keeps far away from your lands, though I’ve herad the situation In the Spanish border is not good either .

Here in Lorraine, the high command again failed, and our fortresses are falling, Fortunately, our brigadier could buy time and we could retreat (though my Regimental Commander died), and I’m well, but once again besieged by the Habsburg troops. I was given a bar to my Croix de la Cité for my actions.

Situation is bad and worsening, though, and I personally think it would be the moment for HM to take personally the command on the Lorraine Frontier, as the Habsburg troops are nearing Paris as our positions fall (as he did in winter 1629-30)

I’ll try to keep you informed, though letters are difficult to send from a besieged fortress. Don’t worry too much about me, as our Brigadier knows his trade, and my men, as always, fight like lions and seem to grow in adversity.

Please kiss mum and my sisters and embrace my brothers for me, and take care if there are combats near.

Your loving son

Huillaume

[huillaume]

(June1632)

Cher papa,

This May things have gone a little better in Lorraine, though my company has fallen in an ambush and we had some losses (and this time, I’m afraid it was my fault, as the Brigadier d’Avranches left us in good position).

I’ve heard Gascony is being invaded by Spanish troops, and the border is currently undermanned. I’ve taken the command of the Brigade defending it, so I’ll just make a short stop in Paris to see Emelin and prepare some luggage, and be home soon to prepare for the upcoming campaign, which is expected to be hard.

We lack (among other things) troops and cavalry to defend the border, but I’m sure the population in the zone will be friendly and help us as much as they can. The only bright spot is that the though soldiers of the RNHB will be among my troops. Might you please ask those sheepherders you knew to inform us if they see enemy troop moves? This would be a good help, as without cavalry we’re nearly blind and scouting will be a problem…

In any case, I’ll do my best to keep Gascony as secure as I can with the scarce troops we’ll have on hand. A though command to be my first independent one, and time to see if I really learned anything in the Academy.

Please kiss mum and my sisters and embrace my brothers for me, and tell them I’ll visit you all soon (albeit briefly) on my way to my command.

Your loving son

Huillaume