Beschreibung:

Robert Devereux, 2nd Earl of Essex
Autograph letter signed, to Maurice of Nassau ('A son Exc[cellence]')
concerning his own influence over Elizabeth I, stressing his desire to maintain himself in his correspondent's graces, the honour that accrues to him from the friendship of so great a person, and the mutual good that will derive from their correspondence; praising Maurice for the loving authority he has over his troops and his people; adding that he would be sad were he to be blamed for any problems between Maurice and his Queen, but promising to give satisfaction in anything he undertakes; informing him that Vere, the bearer of this letter and one of his dearest friends, will tell him of recent events; 2 pages, folio, integral address leaf, substantial portions of seals, in French, the Court, 24 April "vieux stile" [1594 added in another hand], some very light spotting
"...d'autre part pourceque i'ay L'oroeil de la Royne autant com[m]e un autre on pense que ie puis faire beaucoup. Mais L'experience monstre que les souveraigns veulent estre absolus, et le peaple bizar..." [...Because I have the ear of the Queen as much as any man, people think that I can do much. But experience shows that Sovereigns wish to be absolute and the people capricious...]
THE EARL OF ESSEX ASSERTS HIMSELF AS THE VOICE OF THE ENGLISH GOVERNMENT. The addressee of the letter is undoubtedly Maurice of Nassau (1567-1625), de facto leader of the Protestant Low Countries in their long war of independence from Spain. Although Maurice is not mentioned by name, he can be identified by Essex's carefully respectful tone and his references to "your provinces", troops, and the affection in which he is held by his people. In early 1594 Essex was increasingly taking on responsibility for foreign and military affairs within Queen Elizabeth's Privy Council: he was a strong supporter of the Dutch and continually pushed for Elizabeth to play a more active role in Continental affairs. This letter makes clear that he is now Maurice's chief intermediary with the Queen, and he writes with some anxiety of his hope that he will not to be the cause of any problems between his mistress and her Dutch ally. 
This letter was delivered to Maurice by Sir Francis Vere (1560-1609), the distinguished soldier and chief of the English forces in the Low Countries from about 1590. The campaign of 1594 saw Vere, Maurice, and their French allies joining together to inflict defeat on Spanish troops, including the successful siege of Groningen.
PROVENANCE:Sotheby's, London, 14 December 1989, lot 203