LOUIS XIII (1601–1643). L.S. (secretary), Abbeville, August 3, 1638, to Marshal de Brézé, “my lieutenant general in my army of Picardy”; countersigned by François Sublet; 2 folio pages, addressed. He complains that the field marshals are recklessly granting leave to soldiers, which is depleting the troops: “I absolutely demand that throughout the entire campaign you grant leave to no one for any reason or under any pretext whatsoever, except in the case of injury or illness”… Furthermore, he receives numerous complaints “about the rapes and sacrileges committed with impunity in my armies,” which must be brought under control…