POPE ADRIAN VI: (1459-1523) Head of the Catholic Church and ruler of the Papal States 1522-23. He ...

POPE ADRIAN VI: (1459-1523) Head of the Catholic Church and ruler of the Papal States 1522-23. He is the only Dutchman to become Pope and the last non-Italian Pope until the Polish John Paul II 455 years later. Adrian VI had been the tutor of the futur Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor, who later trusted him as his emissary to the Catholic King and his Regent, being also appointed Grand-Inquisitor of Castile and Aragon. Adrian VI is one of the only two popes of the modern era to retain their baptismal names after their election and also the last Pope to date to take on the pontifical name "Adrian". One of the shortest papacy terms of only one year and eight months. Most of his official papers were lost after his death. An extremely rare L.S. in his capacity as Cardinal, one page 4to, Burgos, 9th September 1521, in Latin. The future Pope states ` Captain Artietán, My viceroys and governors sent Albornoz a courier with a dispatch for Flanders, and since I have learned that he has not yet embarked due to lack of travel, I command you that, when he arrives, you hire a small boat to carry him as far it is requested, so that he may fulfill my service...´ Countersigned. Small overall age wear, with two very small holes to the folds, not affecting the text or signatures, otherwise G