FRANÇOIS I: (1494-1547)

FRANÇOIS I: (1494-1547) King of France 1515-1547. First King of France from the Angouleme branch. He succeeded his cousin and father-in-law Louis XII. A Patron of the arts who initiated the French Renaissance and attracted Italian artists to France, including Leonardo da Vinci, whose Mona Lisa was bought by King Francis. An excellent D.S., Françoys, one page, oblong folio, vellum, 24th July 1546, in old French. The document states `François, by the Grace of God, King of France…´ and orders the payment of 50 gold ecus, taken from the taxes obtained on behalf of the Kingdom in Dombes, to Nicolas Le Roy, saying `..according to the good and friendly services given to us..´ Countersigned by Gilbert Bayard. Professionally matted in dark green, framed in dark brown wood and glazed to an overall of 16.5 x 10 G to VG £2000-3000 Gilbert Bayard (149?-1548) Secretary of King Francis I