Anne de MONTMORENCY (1493–1567), Constable of France. Autograph letter with the handwritten salutation “To my dear cousin and friend Montmorency,” Paris, December 16, 1538, to Louis Adhémar de Grignan, chamberlain and ambassador to Pope [Paul III]; 2 folio pages, address (small tear repaired). An important letter concerning Henry VIII’s religious reforms and the English schism, as well as the rapprochement between Francis I and Charles V. Francis I is very pleased with Grignan’s good offices, to whom the Constable writes, “so that you may hear of the wonderful deeds the King of England performs every day to make himself the talk of the town. I am sending you a copy of what we received yesterday from Castillon, which you may share as needed. I believe that if God allows this king to reign much longer, not a single man of reputation and standing will remain in his kingdom with his head still on his shoulders. And it seems to me that if our Holy Father does not wish to be offended by such pernicious matters, which have such dire consequences, he will find it very difficult to prevent the world from crying out to God for vengeance and correction.” Francis I will be very grateful to Grignan for what he has already negotiated on this matter, “which you will continue to do.” Montmorency then informs Grignan that he has just dispatched his secretary Christofle to Emperor Charles V to “reaffirm and demonstrate their friendship, which grows day by day, and also to learn from the said Emperor his decision regarding the matter of his loan”… He then speaks of Stephano Colonna (“I assure you that he will set out promptly before the King takes him back into his service”), and of Monluc, who has been granted “one hundred francs a month pending a better arrangement”… The King was unable to receive the Pope’s ambassador, having felt “a little unwell, and taken a medicine after which he is now feeling very well”; he is about to depart for Saint-Germain-en-Laye “in order to get a change of air”… Montmorency then reports that “the King sent a gentleman to the King of Scotland [James V Stuart, his son-in-law], to forever encourage and sustain him in the goodwill and filial affection he bears toward the said lord, so that if our said holy father should wish to have the Prince of England executed and deposed, everyone may be of the same and consistent opinion”… Finally, he instructs Grignan to report to him everything he can hear “from all quarters, and especially regarding the Turkish coast and army”…