Autographs and Manuscripts
A DIPLOMATIC SAFE-CONDUCT, 1404 ()
Safe conduct issued by John Croft and Wiliam Lyle, councillors, and Nicholas de Ryssheton, doctor in law, as ambassadors of Henry IV, to the emissaries of the Duchess of Burgundy, Countess of Flanders and Artois, enabling them to freely come and go into Artois, Boulonais, and Guines, in order to treat of commerce with England and Flanders, under the terms granted by their earlier safe-conduct.1 page long folio on vellum, c. 15 1/2 by 12 1/2 ins, in French but with the terms of the ambassadors' commission given in Latin, written in a neat secretary hand with flourished ascenders in the first line and the initial letter "J" (of "Johan") drawn as an elongated fish. The armorial seals of the three ambassadors in red wax (a small part of the central seal lacking but otherwise good and intact impressions) are attached by the original velllum tags.Calais, 26 September 1404.
The document recites the terms of the ambassadors' commission, as issued by King Henry IV on 22 July 1403. The mission conducted by the canon lawyer and diplomat Nicholas de Ryssheton and his companions was one of a series of negotiations held by him at Calais with emissaries from the Countess of Flanders (Margaret of Dampiere, widow of Philip the Bold of Burgundy) in an attempt to secure a commencial treaty. These negotiations lasted, in stages, until June 1405, and met with no success; Ryssheton returned briefly to England as early as October 1404 to inform the king "of the complete lack of progress even as to an agenda" (R.G. Davies, ODNB). Nicholas de Ryssheton (d. 1413) was a successful and asccomplished canon lawyer and diplomat, who owmed some important manuscripts.An unusual and attractive document. Diplomatic safe-conducts of this period are rare. The document has been mounted on cream board, but is unframed.
Stock Code: AU5395
