ELIZABETH OF FRANCE. Autograph letter signed "Elizabeth" to the CARDINAL OF RICHELIEU, Madrid, "this xx February" [1626]. 1 p. folio, address on back, remnants of red wax armorial stamps, left and bottom margins slightly frayed with damage to two words. "My cousin, the good and faithful services that you have always rendered to the king my brother and to the queen my mother, with the particular esteem that I have for your person, have always made me wish to show you my good will in all occasions, but I find myself much more particularly obliged at this time that I KNOW THAT IF THE BAD CONDITION WHERE THE CORRESPONDENCE OF THESE CORRESPONSES HAS CHANGED, YOUR GOOD INTANSION AND INDUSTRY WILL HAVE CONTRIBUTED TO IT A LOT OR MORE THAN ALL THE OTHER ANSAMBLES, and although I make a profession of not worrying about afayre, I have taken this one so much to heart that I have always called it and yours mine as the most glorious one I have and the only one I want to undertake. That is why, after thanking you for what you have done so far, I urge you to continue courageously, the honor will remain with you before God and the world, and I wish to assure you that I am your good cousin Elizabeth. For a long time she was kept out of public life by the favorite Olivares, but was nevertheless brought to exercise the regency, which she did successfully. She had nine children from her Spanish union, including the infanta Maria Teresa who married Louis XIV.