FERDINANDO I DE´MEDICI: (1549-1609) Grand duke of Tuscany. Son of Cosimo I de´Medici. Ferdinando was made a ...

FERDINANDO I DE´MEDICI: (1549-1609) Grand duke of Tuscany. Son of Cosimo I de´Medici. Ferdinando was made a Cardinal in 1562 at the age of 14. He founded the Villa Medici in Rome and acquired the well-known Medici lions. An excellent L.S., `Il Gran Duca di T[oscan]a´, one page, 4to, Florence, 5th August 1595, to Monsignor Visconti, Bishop of Cervia and Apostolic Nuncio, in Italian. Ferdinand explains that his correspondent´s letter dated in June only reached his hands three or four days ago, further stating in part `La Serenissima Sposa a quest'hora dovera esser arrivata et de progressi della guerra in coteste bande vengono qui buonissime nuove con una gran confermatione del continuato valore di cotesto Principe, et della sua prudenza, et costanza nell' Heroica, et Cristiana sua resolutione´ (''The Most Serene Bride must have arrived at this hour, and about the progress of the war in these locations I come here with very good news with a great confirmation of the continued value of this Prince, and of his prudence, and his constancy in his heroic and Christian resolution'') With address leaf, bearing an attractive Royal paper seal affixed in very fine condition, bearing the Medici coat of arms of the Grand Duke. With address leaf bearing a paper seal affixed. Small overall age wear, otherwise G Ferdinand I de´Medici, when saying ''La Serenissima Sposa a quest´hora dovera esser arrivata'' (''The Most Serene Bride must have arrived at this hour'') refers to Maria Christina of Austria (1574-1621) Princess consort of Transylvania. She was married by contract at the very early age of 11, to Prince of Transylvania Sigismund Bathory (1573-1613). The bride travelled on 15th June 1595 for her marriage, accompanied by her mother and 6000 German horsemen, but fell ill in Kaschau with fever, and this delayed the travel. This is why Ferdinand I thinks that `the bride must have arrived´. The wedding took place the day after the present letter was written, at Weissenburg, on 6th August 1595. However, this union proved to be unhappy, and Sigismund after a disastrous wedding night with an eleven years old girl, refused to consummate the marriage and sent his wife to a fortress where Maria Christina was kept as prisoner. Prince of Transylvania Sigismund Bathory (1573-1613) is the prudent, constant, heroic Christian Prince Ferdinand I refers to in the present letter.