PHILIPPE II DUKE OF ORLEANS: (1674-1723) Duke of Chartres. Philippe II served as Regent of the French Kingdom ...

PHILIPPE II DUKE OF ORLEANS: (1674-1723) Duke of Chartres. Philippe II served as Regent of the French Kingdom 1715-23 during Louis XV´s age minority. The Duke married his first cousin, Francoise de Bourbon, legitimised daughter of his uncle Louis XIV and Madame de Montespan. He died at the age of 49 at Versailles, being the de facto ruler of France. An excellent L.S., `Philippe d´Orleans´, as Regent of the Kingdom of France, four pages, folio, Paris, 25th July 1718, in French. An important and cleanly written letter referring to the guarantee requested by Sicily according to the Utrecht Treaty. The Regent states in part `Monseigneur, la lettre que Votre Majesté m´a fait l´honneur de m´écrire a l´occasion de l´entreprise de la flotte du Roi d´Espagne sur la Sicile, m´a été remise par le Comte de Piovana, et il n´a rien oublié pour faire connaitre en meme temps les raisons qu´elle a de recourir au Roy et de demander a sa Majesté l´effet de la garantie des Traités d´Utrecht; Je n´aurais rien désiré avec plus d´empressement que devoir reigner une tranquilité parfaite en Italie..´, (''Monsignor, the letter that Your Majesty has honoured me sending on the occasion of the undertaking of the King of Spain´s fleet in Sicily, has been forwarded to me by Count of Piovana; and he has not forgotten anything to make the King understand the reasons to ask His Majesty the effect of the guarantee of the Treaty of Utrecht; I would have wanted nothing more eagerly than having to reign a perfect tranquillity in Italy.´). The Regent further refers to the allied Kingdoms and to the international situation stating `…les circonstances de l´armement et de l´entreprise du Roy d´Espagne ne permettant pas de douter que la guerre ne devient bientot générale dans l´Europe. Il n´était pas possible de prévenir et de détourner ce malheur… au maintien de la tranquilité publique pour entrer dans les mêmes mesures avec le Roy, le Roy de la grande Bretagne et de la république de Hollande, elle trouvera dans leur garantie une sécurité entiere..´, (''.. the circumstances of the armament and actions of the King of Spain do not allow doubts that the war will soon become general in Europe. It was not possible to prevent and deflect this misfortune.. the maintenance of public tranquillity to agree the same measures between the King, the King of Great Britain and the Republic of Holland, you will find security and their full guarantee..´ Paper with attractive Royal watermark. Bound with green lace. Small overall minor age wear and toning, otherwise G The Peace of Utrecht is a series of treaties signed by the belligerents in the War of Spanish Succession in the Dutch city of Utrecht between 1713 and 1715. The treaties allowed Philip V (grandson of King Louis XIV of France) to keep the Spanish throne in return for permanently renouncing his claim to the French throne, along with other guarantees that would ensure that France and Spain should not merge, thus preserving the balance of power in Europe. The treaties between several European states included Spain, France, Great Britain, Portugal, Savoy and the Dutch Republic. Sicily was granted to the House of Savoy, and to Victor Amadeus II of Sardinia, King of Sicily 1713-20.