[LOUIS XIV OF FRANCE]: (1638-1715)

[LOUIS XIV OF FRANCE]: (1638-1715) Also known as Louis the Great or The Sun King. King of France 1643-1715. Son of Louis XIII. His reign of more than 72 years is the longest recorded of any monarch in European history. An excellent content L.S., Louis, by his secretary, the King is only 5 years old, two pages, folio, Paris, 27th August 1744, to the Marquis of Sourdis, in old French. The King announces the battles victories at Gravelines and Fribourg, stating in part `..after I took all convenient precautions to plan the Graveline battle and establish the order I judged necessary to grant this victory…my enemies having besieged Freiburg im Breisgau, I ordered my cousin the Duke of Enghien to move to Germany with the army he is commanding to stop any progress the ennemy could plan..´ further saying `..Gravelines has been returned and obey to the command of my dear uncle the Duke of Orleans.., Freiburg in Breisgau was besieged and my cousin the Duke of Enghien took their canon and belongings..´, and concluding states `I hope that this victory will bring more beyond the Rhin, and will oblige, all those who have left me no other option than going to war, to beg for peace which is what I desire for the rest of Christendom.´ The King wants these news to be known all over France, and that people support such victories with prayers. Countersigned by Henri Duplessis-Guénégaud. With blank address leaf. Folded. Very small overall foxing, and some creasing, with centre fold slightly damaged, none affecting the text or signatures. G £800-1200 Louis, Duke of Orléans (1703-1752) Also known as Louis the Pious. First Prince of the Blood, member of the House of Bourbon. Louis de Bourbon (1621-1686) Duc d´Enghien. Prince of Condé. French General and the most famous representative of the Condé branch of the House of Bourbon. For his military achievements he was known as le Grand Condé.