CHARLES VI " le Fol ", king of France. Parchment,... Lot 47

CHARLES VI " le Fol ", king of France]. Parchment, sealed with the great seal in majesty of Charles VI. Paris, January 5, 1409. 25.5 x 35 cm. 23 lines of fine bastard writing. Brown ink on vellum. Preserved in a specially designed box with casing for the seal. Transcript attached. Instructions against piracy between Flanders and England. Mandate of Charles VI addressed to Jacques de Chastillon, lord of Dampierre "Nostre Amiral de la mer", and to all officers in charge of trade between Flanders and England concerning the freedom of cross trade between the ports of Saint-Valery and Winchelsea. He recalls his earlier letters issued in Calais and England for the safety of trade between the ports of St. Valery and Winchelsea (Winclese) and beyond "everywhere on the sea to the north and oist". And as several captures, thefts and damages "prinses, roberires and damages" have been made by pirates "escumeurs and other gens de guerre" on merchants, pilgrims, clerks, fishermen and others, he orders to republish the previous letters and asks Jacques de Chastillon to act vigorously against anyone who contravenes them. Jacques de Chastillon, Lord of Dampierre (1365-1415) had been appointed Admiral of France in 1408 and was killed at Azincourt. Very nice circular seal of Charles VI in majesty, in brown wax (good impression, cracked but complete) and counter-seal on the reverse with the arms of France. 10 cm diameter. Provenance: Sir Thomas Phillipps collection (Ms 32769; catalogue no. 1952, reproduced)