Catherine de Médicis and the bishop of Rennes: four cipher letters, 1562–1564

f55_v2.txt

do=- at=par rc=o|l|c dv=u|v 10=i z=a plus=y|vostre ct=s 3=c e=e mu=u m=c e=e qq=que lt=vous z=a lam=v e=e x=z La=d e=e s3=s m=c g=o gS=u|v xy=e H=r G=t
xp=? f4=f|- at=par rc=o|l|c eb=e mn=la La=d mu=u D=m z=a r5=r 10=i z=a at~=g xy=e ct=s|- tt=et|- plus=vostre z=a La=d dv=v 10=i ct=s s3=s dv=u r5=r mn=la del=con|- La=d mu=u m=i 3=c ct~=t
e=e La=d k=i m=c e=e dv=u 6=l x=x e=e an=n e2=-|n D=m rc=o 9=n 10=i 9=n G=t e=e 9=n G=t 10=i g=o 9=n ct=s|e e=e ct~=t H=r|b ss=q gS=u e=e G=t rc=o dv=u
ct~=t e=e dag=- 4=f g=o r5=r gd=?|t tt=et|- z=a y=y G=t e=e 9=n dv=u m=c e=e 3=c pi=h e=e D=m 10=i an=n La=d ss=q|con 9=n ct~=t 10=i e=e dv=u xy=e ee=r z=a r=?
m=c e=e Vb=qui b=p rc=o dv=u ee=r z=a ct=s g=o H=r G=t 10=i r5=r 10=i z=a y=y eta=a mu=u ct=s s3=s|si e=e 9=n G=t xy=e 9=n La=d dv=u m=c e=e qq=que 6=l
lt=vous D=m k=i ct=s G=t e=e 9=n z=a mu=v z=a 9=n G=t Vb=qui 6=l z=a mu=v g=o 10=i ct~=t La=d e=e e=e 6=l 10=i xb=b e=e r5=r z=a y=y ca=faire bar=? sc=lettre pl=bien
La=d e=e mn=la phi=? b=b|p 10=i e=e 9=n G=t ehat=ost|e tt=et|- eq=- S=a dv=v z=a 9=n 3=c e=e r5=? sc=? m=c g=o 9=n m=c 10=i 6=l e=e z=a 3=c e=e qq=que 10=i mu=u
e=e|s ss=q y=y 3=c amp=h z=a 3=c mu=u 9=n tu=faict ss2=l|s La=d e=e e=e z=a 10=i 9=n z=a at=par G=t tt=et|- D=m g=o an=n ct=s ct~=t r5=r H=r e=e r5=r xb=b
g=o f4=n|? e=e xi=e|et 4=f r5=r dv=u m=c G=t dv=u e=e dv=u ct=s e=e dag=? Gt=rt|t y=y e=e e=e dv=u e=e e=e La=d e=e 3=c e=e m=c rc=o 9=n 3=c 10=i ss2=l e=e A=mais gt=nous
ct=s o=o Zm=m e=e ct=s eq=- dv=v rc=o 10=i r5=r 6=l dv=u G=t m=i ss2=l 10=i G=t e=e Vb=qui e=e an=n s3=s g=o Gt=rt 10=i r5=r z=a eq=- Zp=- D=m e=e ct=s
D=m e=e s3=s f=?|m e=e m=c e=e Vb=qui ct=s e=e b=p r5=r g=o D=m e=e 3=c ct~=t La=d e=e s3=s ct=s e=e e=e e=e 10=i rc=o 9=n ct=s "decembre" La=d e=e ct=s
qq=que N=? e=e s3=s lt=vous z=a dv=v e=e th=z rc=o y=y at=par sc=lettre r5=s lt=vous sharp=est z=a 9=n G=t La=d e=e r5=r 9=n 10=i e=e r5=r e=e g=m|o e=e an=n G=t z=a h=? D=?
G=t r5=r z=a 9=n G=t e=e //=- A=- vre=- amp=- que=- xix=- ss2=-

f55.txt

# fr. 3181 f.55, aligned to f55_v2.txt. {n} unread, ~{n}word probable (not counted). Clear "decembre" excluded.
par ou i'ay sceu ce que vous avez descouert
{1} ~{2}vous_par {2} ~{1}la du mariages et vostre advis sur la conduict|
|e d'iceulx en mon intention se troue tou|
|te conforme et ~{6}ayt_tenu ce chemin dont {7}
ce qui poura sortir i'ay aussi entendu ce que l|
|vous mist en avant qui l'avoit ~{10}deliberay faire pour le bien
de la ~{7}chrestiente et avancer le concile a ce que ~{2}ie
~{3}veoy chacun faict {8} part et ~{9}monstrer ~{1}b|
~{4}onne_et fructueuse {8} de ce concile mais nous
somes voir l'utilite qui en sortira mes|
|mesme ce qui se promect des ~{8}sessions des|
|queles vous avez oy parler vous estant dernierement a {2}
trante

f55_v2_reading.md

# fr. 3181 f. 55: second transcription pass (v2)

Source: Gallica btv1b9059845t f36, region x 4600–8720, y 600–2800 (full-res). Each line was cropped
in halves at native resolution. The first-pass crop `f55rot.png` covers only lines 1–10; lines 11–13 lie
below y 2058. Tokens with candidate sets are in `f55_v2.txt`. Decode with `PYTHONUTF8=1 python lattice.py f55_v2.txt`.

## Values changed or added since the first pass
- **ℌ = r** (not b). It gives *descouvert* (l.1) and *pourra sortir* (l.5).
- **ɼ (c with a curl) = o**. It gives *mon intention* (l.3), *pourra* (l.5) and *voir* (l.10).
- **ɗ (d with a loop) = u/v**. It gives *advis* and *sur* (l.2), *toute* (l.3–4) and *voir* (l.10).
- **ɕ (c-curl with a tail) = t**. It gives *conduict[e]* (l.2), *te* (l.4) and *monstr…* (l.8).
- **+ = y** in l.1 (*j'ay*). It is *vostre* in l.2 (*vostre advis*), the same double value as in c390 p.357.
- **ß = l**. It gives *concile* (l.9) and *l'utilité* (l.10).
- **G̃ = rt** in *sortira* (l.10).
- **ʮ = et** (probable) in l.2, l.4 and l.8. It may be a null.
- **✗ (crossed) = b** in *deli✗eray* (l.6).
- **ꜧ = y** in *ayt* (l.4) and *j'ay* (l.5).
- **The last cipher word is *Trante*** (Trente, for the Council): G 5ʼ z 9 G ᑲ.

## Line by line (letters; ? = unresolved sign; word division mine)
1. [do=null] par o u i a y s c e u c e *que* *vous* a v e z d e s c o u v e r t
2. ? ? *par* o? e *la* d u m a r i a g e s? *et* *vostre* a d v i s s u r *la* [con] d u i c t
3. e d i c e u l x e n (?) m o n i n t e n t i o n ¢? e t r? q u e t o u
4. t e (‡ null) f o r ? *et*? a y t t e n u c e c h e m i n d ? n t i e u e r a ?
5. c e *qui* p o u r r a s o r t i r i a y a u s s e n t e n d u c e *que* l
6. *vous* m i s t e n a v a n t *qui* l a v o i t d e e l i b e r a y *faire* ? *lettre* *bien*
7. d e *la* ? b/p i e n t (e/ost) *et*? [= null] a v a n c e ? ? c o n c i l e a c e *que* i u
8. ? q y c h a c u n *faict* l/s d e e a i n a *par* t *et* m o n s t r r e r b
9. o ? e e/et f r u c t u e u s e ? (r)t y e e u e e d e c e c o n c i l e *mais* *nous*
10. s o m e s [= null] v o i r l u t i l i t e *qui* e n s o (rt) i r a [= ⱬ nulls] m e s
11. m e s ? e c e *qui* s e p r o m e c t d e s s e (e e) i o n s **Decembre** (clear) d e s
12. *que* ? e s *vous* a v e z o y *par* *lettre* s *vous* *est* a n t d e r n i e r e ? e n t a ? ?
13. t r a n t e [nulls: // ʌ vre & que xix ß]

## Running text

> c'est pour … par où j'ay sceu ce que vous avez descouvert … par … la [matière] du mariage, [et]
> vostre advis sur la conduicte d'iceulx en mon intention, [et] se trouve toute … fort … [et qu'il]
> ayt tenu ce chemin, dont … ce qui pourra sortir. J'ay auss[i] entendu ce que l[e …]
> vous mist en avant, qui l'avoit … délibéray faire … lettre bien … de la … bientost [et]
> l'avance[ment du] concile, à ce que j[e] veoy[?] chacun faict … de … part, et monstrer
> b[onne et] fructueuse … de ce concile. Mais nous sommes [à] voir l'utilité qui en sortira,
> mesmes ce qui se promect des sessions [de] Decembre, desquelles vous avez oy par
> lettres, vous estant dernierement à … Trante.

**In English.** Catherine has learned what Rennes discovered and has his opinion on the marriage question
and on how to handle it, in line with her own intention. She hopes that whoever has taken this course will
keep to it, and that something will come of it. She has also heard what someone (name lost) put to Rennes.
The Council follows: she wants it advanced quickly, and wants everyone so far to do their part and to show
[good and] fruitful … of the Council. "But we are waiting to see the benefit that will come of it, and in
particular what is promised from the December sessions," of which Rennes has heard by letter, having lately
been … at Trent.

## Follow-up pass (sibling value tables applied)
- **ſſ = o** (p.139). In l.3, "¢ ᑲ ɕ ℌ ʃʃ gʃ ᑲ G ɼ ɗ" becomes s e t r o u(v) e t o u, i.e. *se trouve tou[te]*. This is probable (the ¢ = s and gʃ = v choices are forced).
- **ſſ = o** in l.4, "ſa ʃʃ 9 ɕ" becomes *dont*. The rest, "10 ᑲ ɗ xy ee z r", reads i e v e r a ?, which is not a word. *continuera* is dropped.
- **N = l** (c392). In l.11–12, "ſa ᑲ ¢ | qq N ᑲ ʒ" becomes des|que|les, i.e. *desquelles vous avez oy par lettres*. This is secure, and it closes the start of l.12.
- **ℊ = m** (c392). In l.12 it gives *dernierement* (secure).
- **l.8.** With µ = v and ᑲ read as e, "iu | ᑲ ʃʃ ꜧ" gives j v e o y, i.e. *je veoy* (one letter out of order). This is probable.
- **✗ = b/c.** *délibéray* is kept. At the end of l.8, ✗ = b still gives *b[onne]*; this is probable.
- The following were checked against the siblings with no gain:
  - ꝥ ꟗ (l.2)
  - gd (l.4)
  - ⊥ (l.6)
  - ɸ (l.7)
  - ß ſa ᑲ ᑲ z 10 9 z (l.8)
  - ‡ G̃ ꜧ … (l.9)
  - ɾ (l.11)
  - z h Ə (l.12)

  Single ‡ is not the double ‡‡ (n/et) of c392, so I left it unassigned.

## Security
There are about 470 cipher glyphs. After the follow-up pass: about 78% secure, about 9% probable (*et* = ʮ, *conduicte*, *se trouve toute*, *je veoy*,
*bonne et*, *sommes*, *mesmes*) and about 13% unread. Before v2, about 55% was secure.

## Still unread
- **l.1 start "par où j'ay"**: + = y is attested in c390, but "par où" before "sceu" is odd. It might instead be "par lui a vostre".
- **l.2, the first two signs (ꝥ ꟗ)**, and **ɼ ᑲ before *la***: these are unknown signs. They are perhaps "[et]" and "ce".
- **l.3, εʃ after *en*, and ¢ before *et*.** One extra sign each, perhaps nulls.
- **l.4**: *gd* after *fort* is unknown. After *dont*, the signs "10 ᑲ ɗ xy ee z r" (i e v e r a ?) do not make a word.
- **l.5, *aussi***: the *i* is missing, or ʒ = si.
- **l.6, "qui l'avoit t'… délibéray"**: the grammar is unclear. The sign ⊥ before *lettre* is unknown; it may be *une* or *la*.
- **l.7, ɸ before "bien/pien"**, and **"5ʼ ɕʃ" in avance[ment du]**: *ment du* is restored from the sense, not from the signs.
- **l.8 is the weakest line.** "…q y chacun" may be *jusques icy*, but that needs *e* = s. "l/s de e a i n a" is not read; it may be *son devoir* with misread signs. "monstrrer" has one r too many.
- **l.9, "? (r)t y e e v e e" before *de ce concile*.** Six *e*-homophones in a row suggest that some of these shapes are other letters (s?). *l'yssue* is a guess and is not used.
- **l.11, ɾ in "mes?e"**, and *sessions* has three e-signs in place of the double s. The same homophone confusion.
- **l.12, "z h Ə" before *Trante***: *à* plus two signs with no value. Perhaps *au [concile de]* abbreviated, or cancelled strokes.
- **General**: the ᑲ / d / ɗ family (e, s?, u/v) is not fully separated. Most of the remaining gaps are e/s ambiguities. Working through the sibling letters (Colbert 390 p. 139, 392 p. 231) should separate them.

## Crib pass (La Ferrière II, spring–summer 1563)
The letters to Rennes printed nearest in date are 30 Apr 1563 (LF II 85-88, Colbert 390 f.183), 17 May 1563 (LF II 36-38, fr. 3181 f.5x) and 13 July 1563 (LF II ~?, Gaillon).
LF II also mentions, in its notes, Lorraine to Rennes of 20 June ("efforts … pour obtenir la session du concile en juillet"), Birague of 30 June on the marriages, and Lansac from Trent, 8 July (the portraits of the King of the Romans' daughters). colbert390_glossed.md was not present when I checked.

The wording that bears on f.55 is:
- 17 May: "j'ay veu ce que me respondez des mariages … ce que mon cousin le cardinal de Lorraine en a proposé et traicté avec mondict frère l'Empereur". This supports *du mariage … vostre advis* (l.2).
- 17 May: "Il y a longtemps que nous n'avons que bien peu de choses du Concile … si cette longueur d'attente nous produisoit quelque bon fruict, dont je ne sçay que me promettre, encores que **chacun veoye** à l'oeil le besoing … d'une **bonne et** sérieuse reformation". This parallels l.8–10: *chacun … bonne et fructueuse … ce qui se promect*. It raises *b[onne et] fructueuse* to probable-strong. It also points to "veoy/veoye" in l.8 (*je veoy*, kept probable).
- 17 May: "Mandez-moy si mondict bon frère **continuera** en sa résolution d'aller en personne audict Concile". This makes "… continuera" a candidate again for l.4 ("ſa ʃʃ 9 ɕ 10 ᑲ ɗ xy ee z", read d o n t i e v e r a). The signs do not give c-o-n-t-i-n-u, so it stays unread. It is noted as the likely sense (the Emperor continuing on his course: "ayt tenu ce chemin … continuera").
- 30 Apr: "le rendre **fructueulx**". This supports l.9.
- 13 July: "suis bien de **vostre adviz**". This supports l.2.

Nothing in these letters touches the openings of l.1 or l.2, or the ⊥ and ɸ signs in l.6–7. Re-checked on the crops, no crib changes a sign value. The crib pass therefore upgrades confidence and does not add letters.

**Final figures:** about 78% secure, about 10% probable, about 12% unread. The 95% target is **not** reached. The remaining gaps need either a glossed sibling that exemplifies ꝥ ꟗ, gd, ⊥, ɸ, ‡ and G̃ as whole letters, or a copy of the decipherment (none is known; LF printed the passage as "Partie chiffrée"). Crib-guessing letters into those slots would be invention.

## Glossed-sibling pass (f. 57–58 aligned; see fr3181_glossed.md)
Sign values taken from the f. 57–58 margin decipherments, which are in the same hand as f. 55:
- **ʃʃ (the ɕʃ sign) = le.** Glossed three times. This corrects the earlier "sc = lettre" reading:
  - l.6 "ca ⊥ ʃʃ pl" becomes *faire ⊥ le bien* (secure).
  - l.7 "avance 5ʼ ʃʃ concile" becomes *avancer le concile* (secure; 5 = r is glossed in *prendray*, the same value as in *Trante*). This removes the old *avance[ment du]* guess.
  - l.12 "at ʃʃ ʒ" becomes *par-le-r*, i.e. *oy parler* (secure). "N ᑲ ɤ" with ɤ = z gives *desquelz*.
- **⊥ (l.6) = u̲ = pour**, the word sign glossed in *pour eviter*: *délibéray faire pour le bien* (probable, from a shape match).
- **ɸ (l.7):** "ɸ 5 10 ᑲ 9 G ᑲ̌" reads ɸ + r i e n t é. *le bien de la [Ch]rienté*, i.e. *Chrestienté* (the "xpienté" abbreviation, ɸ = chi), is probable. ɸ itself is not glossed. The following "# =" is *et* + null.
- **ꟗ (l.2) = ∠ = vous** (glossed in *si vous le*), probable. So l.2 opens "ꝥ vous par ɼ ᑲ la du mariage". ꝥ and ɼᑲ stay unread.
- **l.4: ‡ = con** (‡̲ glossed in *congnoistront* and *contentement*), and **gd = g ᑲ = m e** (small g = m is glossed 5 times). This gives *toute conforme*: "se trouve toute conforme, et ayt tenu ce chemin" (probable).
- **The d-family, settled.** d = e; La = d; ɗ/ɑS = u/v; ∂/ϑ = m; ᑲ = e in all ~20 glossed cases; the overlined ᑲ̄ = se. **No gloss supports ᑲ = s.** The ᑲ-runs in l.9 (‡ G̃ ꜧ ᑲ ᑲ ɑS ᑲ ᑲ) and l.11 (*sessions* with three ᑲ) therefore stay unread or suspect. They were not forced.
- **Unchanged and still unread:**
  - l.1 opening
  - ꝥ, ɼ ᑲ (l.2)
  - εʃ, ¢ (l.3)
  - "10 ᑲ ɗ xy ee z r" after *dont* (l.4)
  - ß La ᑲ ᑲ z 10 9 z (l.8), where ß could be l or g, both glossed
  - ‡ G̃ ꜧ … (l.9; *con…* is possible if the ‡ is the same sign, but no word fits)
  - ɾ (l.11)
  - h ϑ (l.12)
  - f.52 was not aligned: it is in a different hand and has no ᑲ.

### Running text (after this pass)
> … vous avez descouvert. [ꝥ] vous par … la [matière] du mariage, et vostre advis sur la conduicte d'iceulx en … mon
> intention se trouve toute conforme, et [qu'il] ayt tenu ce chemin, dont … ce qui pourra sortir. J'ay aussi entendu ce que
> l[e …] vous mist en avant, qui l'avoit délibéré faire pour le bien de la Chrestienté et avancer le concile, à ce que je veoy
> chacun faict … par[t], et monstrer b[onne et] fructueuse … de ce concile. Mais nous sommes à voir l'utilité qui en sortira,
> mesmes ce qui se promect des sessions de Decembre, desquelz vous avez oy parler, vous estant dernierement à … Trante.

**Figures (about 470 glyphs):** about 80% secure, about 11% probable, about 9% unread. The previous figures were 78%, 10% and 12%. The 95% mark is still not reached.

## Colbert 390 pass
The glossed pages of Colbert 390 (pp. 241–305, 313 and 199; pp. 221–231 excluded) are in the f.52 hand. Only h has a glossed value there: **h = b** (p. 241, "mon beau"). In l.12 "z h Ə Trante" that gives à b … Trante, which is not a word, so it stays unread. εʃ (l.3) and ɾ (l.11) may be Tomokiyo's nulls "eps3" and "r-hook". That is not glossed, so I have not counted them as read. No other residual sign was resolved. **The figures are unchanged: about 80% secure, 11% probable, 9% unread.**

c390_p357.txt

# 500 Colbert 390 p. 357, cipher after "... en la dispute de la precedence,"
# 5 Oct 2026 (native IIIF re-check, hi2/p357w.jpg): l.14 "9 la" and l.15 "Vb" were doubled at the half-line crop join; l.14 yy is the gamma-loop d (gam).
mJ=i|c|m sl 6 lbar=-|a|l dag=f|- S la=u|v 6 La 5=r|s eta sl b 5 z 9 La 5 xe eta la G 5 we b 5 d G la=u|v|e
6=l|t|x Gb=t xe qq m we 6 la sh=i b o 5 Gb we at 6 z La d Z=p we ct m al d La la sig=s|r|-|o m al z
ee o 9 La del=ont|com|- Z=p|vous z la we th tx=s|t|b|v d ry=y|r|- al2=-|l|h ct la tx a=g|i|j we m Gb sh z 9 Gb 6 d 9 we io xe
d la 5 dag=f|- D d Z=p|vous L=l|- d ct tx d 4 5 z 9 m al io 5 m 6 z io 5 d D we 9 Gb 6 d ct z
w=u|v|- Gb hh=q|ll|tt|- ct d 9 5 d la Rv=v 9 io 5 qq La sh 5 io d 9 ct La io vv=ss io D la 6 d 5 hb d D we m
Gb z 9 St=t|s|- 6 z D d 9 La we D e2=e|a 9 Gb La we m d 6 z eta la Gb d D b ct hh=q|ll|tt|- z la bs=x|b|-
o dag=f|c|- z ct wo=i|o|u o 9 ct Vb s5=s d b o la ee o 9 Gb o eps=f 5 io 5 m pl2=y|t z b 5 d ct hh=q|ll|tt|-
s5=s z 9 ct z la N=o|u io sh z La o b we 5 d 5 6 we dag=f|c|- Gb d La we 4 io xe ct qq 9 sh
z la Gb 5 d ct La we 9 z la m mu 9 D z 9 sh D we 9 Gb 9 sh gl=u|o|- we 5 Gb d 9 we at~=g
o m io z Gb io qo=o 9 La d ww=-|s|v at Gb pl pp=n|- 5 d thb=z|t Z=p|vous ry=y|r io yy=y|g ct io qq pp=n|- Gb d gg=g|- L=l|-
La d 5 9 io we 5 d La we b=p we ct m al d 6 z io vv=ss d 5 6 z qq 6 qq ct d m 5 d Gb
z io 5 d o la z la=u|v m al 9 La d ct pl2=y|t s5=s z La la io ct d s5=s o la tx thb=z|t m o la 6
d la 5 La z la m la 9 ct la o thb=z|t z eps=f z io 5 5 d s5=s at Gb io m la 6 io d 5 ct dag=f|c|- ++=-|d
La we gam d 9 io we 5 fx=f|s|t qq z z la d thb=z|t we 9 la o sh d qq 5 io 5 o la z mu Gb 5 d
ct m al o s5=s d ct qq Z=p|vous z hsh=i|- d 9 La d thb=z|t Vb bb=b|d la io vv=ss d ca ct m z la o io 5

c390_p358.txt

# 500 Colbert 390 p. 358 (view 181, left), continuation of p.357 "... qui puisse faire sçavoir"
Gb o lam Gb d dag=s|f|c 9 o xc=u|v|e ~=e|v Nd=l|ll d dag=s|f|c La d m ~=e Vb dag=s|f|c o E=c|d|f 5 io 5 o b 5 io 9 m io b z
z Nd=l d 9=m|n ~=e 9 Gb La ~=e m d Vb z d b ~=e lam 6 Gb d r=y|s b+=-|s|x 5 ~=e H=b|h La ~=e 6 d
9=g|n|d 4=f|o o lam 5 9 d 9=m|n ~=e 9 Gb La ~=e 6 z La sharp=est|i xc=u|e d x+=-|x|s d ff=a|o|- La d m ~=e Vb th=z|a|s d Z=p|vous 5 d
Z=p|vous z 5 d 5 z eta sharp=est|i|y La ~=e m io La d 5 "dequoyvouspourrezparaventure" sl lam=u|v|en 9 plus=vostre|y|-
Gb d 5 Gb o lam Gb d 6 lam 9 io 5 d z lam z 9 Gb plus=vostre £=dit at Gb d 9=m ~=e 9 Gb qq
io d 5 ~=e 9 xc=u|e d m Gb x=-|x|s z Z=p|vous La d dy=-|y io dag=s|f|c b o dag=s|f|c d 5 "aproposmouvemen"
Gb b=-|p|d z lam z 9 m d 9=m ~=e 9 Gb ff=o|a lam 5 d Gb z 5 La z Gb io o 9 La io m d 6 lam sharp=y|i
9 d 4 z m ~=e b 5 d io lam La z=-|a io m ~=e z 6 eta 5 d b lam Gb z Gb io o 9 La lam 5 o
sharp=y|i 9 sharp=y|i z 6 eta 9=m io Gb io d qq io ~=e La xc=e|u dag=s|f|c w=i|u 5 d sharp=est|i 5 d dd=con|en|- dag=s|f|c d 5 lam ff=e|a|o
Gb 5 d m ~=e dag=s|f|c La d lam 6=x b 5 io 9 m d dag=s|f|c

p357.txt

# Colbert 390 p.357, aligned to c390_p357.txt line by line. {n} unread, ~{n}word probable (not counted).
il fauldra prandre autre prete|
|xte que celui porte par la depesche du s cha|
|ron dont vous avez beau subiect estant ~{6}lennuieux
~{12}ce_me_pleste franchir clairement les a|
{4} en revenir que ~{2}de riens dissimuler ~{5}remec|
|tant l'amendement de cela au temps et aux
ocasions qui se pouront ofrir cy apres et
sans ~{5}avoir adoperer ~{5}leffect_de defies que ni
autres d'en aucun maniment ni ~{5}ouverte neg|
|ociation de ~{1}vostre part bien pourrez {1} ainsi que ~{3}porte ~{2}ma
derniere depesche laisser la quelque secret|
|aire ou ~{5}aucun des vostres advise soubz coul|
|eur d'aucuns uoz ~{8}affaires particuliers {2}
de deniers ~{6}qu'avez envoye querir ou autre|
|s choses que vous ~{7}attendez qui ~{5}puisse faire scauoir

p358.txt

# Colbert 390 p.358, aligned to c390_p358.txt. Clear words in the line (quoted tokens) are left out.
toutes novelles de ce qui ~{7}s'offrira principa|
|alement de ce qui ~{2}se peult ~{6}esperer de le
~{11}gouvernement de la ~{5}diete ~{2}et de ce qui se pre|
|parera a y decider {3}
{3} toute ~{6}lumiere avant vostre dit partement que
ie ~{7}remects a vous ~{10}de_disposer
|t avancement ou retardation d'iceluy
ne face prejudice a la reputation du ro|
|y ni a l'amitie que ie desire estre conserue
~{3}entre ces deux princes

c390_p357_reading.md

# 500 Colbert 390 p. 357 — Catherine de Médicis (?) to the bishop of Rennes, 1563

Gallica ark btv1b10033942k, view 180. Signed page; the upper third is clear (the
secretary Charron's arrival, the Emperor's reply on the **precedence** dispute), the
lower two thirds, fifteen lines, are in the Bishop of Rennes' cipher. Tomokiyo lists
p. 357 as "not deciphered"; there is no decipherment in the margin or on a separate sheet.

Glyph transcription: `c390_p357.txt` (one line per cipher line, tokens with candidate
values); `python lattice.py c390_p357.txt` decodes it under the fr-1530-despatches model.

## Values fixed in this hand
9=n · z, η, ſ=a · La=d · d, ꭓ, long tilde (∿)=e · 5ʼ=r (and s) · crossed 5=s · λ=u/v ·
b=p · 6=l · G (circled, barred)=t · ¢=s · m=c · α=h · 10=i · #=i · reversed 9 (ϑ)=m ·
c-curl=o · ee=r · θ=z · crossed t with dot=b (soubz, subject) · 4, ε=f · ℌ=b · small r=y ·
+ =vostre (des vostres) / y (cy) · ẽ-hook Rv=e · a-tilde=g · q-hook=o · q̄q̄=que ·
V̄=qui · at=par · <-like 2 (Z)=p and =vous · // and ⌐=nulls · ‡=f (fauldra) / c (ocasions).
One exception: 6 stands for x in *pretexte* (line 1–2).

## Letter stream (word division added)
1 il fauldra prandre autre prete
2 [x]te que celuy porte par la depesche du s[ieu]r Cha
3 ron, dont vous avez beau subject, estant le … e
4 ur … me pl… de franchir clairement les a
5 … et s'en revenir, que de riens dissimuler, [re]mec
6 tant l'amendement de cela au temps et aux
7 ocasions qui se pourront offrir cy apres, et
8 sans avoir adoperer l'effect de[s] deffiés que ny
9 autres d'en aucun maniement ny ouverte neg
10 ociation de … part; bien pourrez [·] ainsi que porte ma
11 dernière depesche, laisser là quelque secret
12 aire ou aucun des vostres, advisés soubz coul
13 eur d'aucuns voz affaires particuliers,
14 de deniers qu'avez envoyé querir ou autre
15 s choses que vous attendez, qui puisse faire sçavoir

## Running text

> [Il est vray qu'estant ja entré si avant avec luy en la dispute de la precedence,]
> il fauldra prandre autre pretexte que celuy porté par la depesche du s[ieu]r Charon,
> dont vous avez beau subject, estant le …, … de franchir clairement les a[utres] …, et s'en revenir
> que de riens dissimuler, [re]mectant l'amendement de cela au temps et aux ocasions qui
> se pourront offrir cy après, et sans avoir [à] operer l'effect de[s] deffiés, que ny
> autres d'en aucun maniement ny ouverte negociation de … part. Bien pourrez, ainsi que porte ma dernière
> depesche, laisser là quelque secretaire ou aucun des vostres, advisés soubz couleur
> d'aucuns voz affaires particuliers, de deniers qu'avez envoyé querir ou autres choses
> que vous attendez, qui puisse faire sçavoir …

**In English.** Having gone so far with the Emperor in the precedence dispute, Rennes must
now take some other pretext than the one carried by Charron's despatch, and withdraw
without pressing the point further, leaving any remedy to time and to occasions that
may arise later, and without any open negotiation. He is to leave behind a secretary or
one of his own people, on the pretext of his private affairs (money he has sent for, or
other things he is waiting on), who can keep the court informed.

## Secure / open
Lines 1–2 and 5–15 read continuously. Second pass (21 Sept): *beau subject, estant*
(small z = a, ɑɭ = u, # = est); line 10 *bien pourrez … ainsi que porte ma dernière
depesche* (⊥⊥ = pour, as in the p. 138 hand; small y = n; ßɜℒ = ma); the Z before *ainsi*
is unexplained (null or *vous*). Open: the word after *de* in line 10 (one sign, ᴗ)), and
the end of line 3 / start of line 4, "6 d 9 ∿ io ꭓ d λ ʒ ‡ ϑ d Z ℒ d ¢ ⊤̸ d" (le … eur …
me p-l-e-s-?-e de), about 16 signs. About 94% of the glyphs are in the running text.

## p.358 continuation

The cipher runs on for ten lines at the top of p. 358 (view 181, left page), with three
clear phrases set into it: *de quoy vous pourrez paraventure* (l. 4), *a propos mouvemen[t]*
(l. 6), and the clear text that follows from line 10 (*Le S^r de Lanssac n'est point encore
arrivé…*, dated 1564, signed Caterine / de l'Aubespine). Glyph transcription:
`c390_p358.txt`. Same key as p. 357. New or confirmed values: ꭓ/xc = u (nouvelles), 6 = x
again (*deux*), # = y (*iceluy*, *y decider*, *ny*), ſſ = o (*ou*), crossed b = t (*estre*),
ϑ = m (*alement*, *partement*), £ = dit, + = vostre, ‡‡ probably *con*.

| l. | letters (word division added) |
|---|---|
| 1 | toutes nouvelles de ce qui s'o[?]rira[?], principa |
| 2 | lement de ce qui a e[?] peult estre [H] de le |
| 3 | g[o]uvernement de la di[e]te et de ce qui se pre |
| 4 | parera a y decider, *de quoy vous pourrez paraventure* [λ 9 +] |
| 5 | [ter toute l-u-n-i-s-e] avant vostre dit partement, que |
| 6 | [i e s e n u e c t … d-isposer] *a propos mouvemen* |
| 7 | t, avancement ou retardation d'iceluy |
| 8 | ne face prejudice à la reputation du Ro |
| 9 | y ny à l'amitié que je desire estre [con]servée |
| 10 | [en]tre ces deux princes. — clear: Le S^r de Lanssac… |

**Running text (p. 357 end + p. 358).** … qui puisse faire sçavoir toutes nouvelles de ce qui
s'o[ffr]ira, principalement de ce qui, peult estre, [?] de le gouvernement de la diète et de
ce qui se preparera à y decider, de quoy vous pourrez paraventure […] avant vostre dit
partement, que […] disposer, à propos, [que le] mouvement, avancement ou retardation
d'iceluy ne face prejudice à la reputation du Roy ny à l'amitié que je desire estre
conservée entre ces deux princes.

**In English.** …[the man left behind] who can report all news of what may arise, above all
of what perhaps [is said] about the government of the Diet and what is being prepared for
decision there, of which you may perhaps [learn something] before your departure; [so that
you may] arrange it so that the moving, hastening or delaying of that departure does no
harm to the King's reputation nor to the friendship I wish kept between these two princes
[Charles IX and the Emperor].

**Share (275 cipher glyphs).** Secure ≈ 84% (ll. 1 first half, 3–4, 7–10, l. 5 end);
probable ≈ 6% (*s'offrira*, *peult estre*, *gouvernement*, *diète*, *conservée/entre*);
unread ≈ 10%: l. 2 "z d … H", l. 4 end "λ 9 +", l. 5 opening 12 signs
(G d 5 G c λ G d 6 λ 9 io 5 d), l. 6 opening 11 signs (io d 5 ∿ 9 ꭓ d m G ✗ z Z La d).

### Second pass on the open runs (2x, autocontrast)

- **p.358 l. 6 opening** `io d 5 ∿ 9 ꭓ d m G ✗ z Z La d ‡y io ‡ b c ‡ d 5` = **que je remect(s)
  à vous de disposer** (5∿9 = rem, ꭓ d = e with one null, m G = ct, ✗ null, z = à, Z = vous,
  La d = de, then d[i]sposer). Secure except the ꭓ/✗ nulls. The sentence: *que je remects à vous
  de disposer, à propos, [le] mouvement, avancement ou retardation d'iceluy* [= du partement].
- **p.358 l. 2** `ʒ d` = **se** (ʒ = s, as in *se pre|parera*); ℌ = **r** (colbert390_glossed,
  95 occurrences). So "de ce qui se peult e-s-p-[r]-e-r de le …": *de ce qui se peult espérer
  de l'…* (probable; 5 stands for the second e or is r).
- **p.358 l. 3 opening** `9 4 c λ 5 9 d 9 ∿ 9 G`: *[gouv/ajour]nement* is not settled; with the
  Diet in view, *l'ajournement de la diète* fits the sense best, but 9 4 at the head does not
  give a-j by the table. Kept probable-at-best.
- **p.358 l. 5**: `d 6 λ 9 io 5 d` = **de lumière** (λ = u, 9 = m, io 5 = ier, d = e): *…toute
  lumière avant vostre dit partement*. `G d 5 G c λ G` (end of what precedes) = "ter tout"; with
  l. 4's `λ 9 +` the phrase is "[λ 9 + ter] toute lumière" — probably "[avoir] toute lumière",
  but λ 9 + G d 5 (6 signs) is still unread.
- **p.357 l. 3–4** `6 d 9 ∿ io ꭓ d λ ʒ ‡ ϑ d Z ℒ d ¢ ⊤̸ d` with ꭓ = u, ‡ = c: *l'enn[u]ieus,
  ce me pl[e]ste* → **estant l'ennuieux, ce me plest de franchir clairement…** (probable: the
  reading needs ∿ = n and a doubled e/i spelling; "since it is tiresome, it pleases me that you
  cut it short plainly").
- **p.357 l. 10** the one sign `ᴗ)` before *part*: probable **vostre** (…ny ouverte negociation
  de vostre part); *ma* is the alternative.

**Revised p.358 running text.** … qui puisse faire sçavoir toutes nouvelles de ce qui
s'o[ffr]ira, principalement de ce qui se peult esperer de l'[ajour]nement de la diète et de ce
qui se preparera à y decider, de quoy vous pourrez paraventure [avoir] toute lumière avant
vostre dit partement; que je remects à vous de disposer, à propos, mouvement, avancement ou
retardation d'iceluy [de sorte qu'il] ne face prejudice à la reputation du Roy ny à l'amitié
que je desire estre conservée entre ces deux princes.

**Combined share, p.357 + p.358 (478 + 275 = 753 glyphs).** Secure ≈ 88%, probable ≈ 11%,
unread ≈ 1% (p.358 l. 4 end + l. 5 start `λ 9 + G d 5`, and the head `9 4` of l. 3).

c390_p139_v4.txt

# Colbert 390 p.139, v3 fresh transcription (2026-09-21) from enhanced IIIF f70 x3500-6320 y900-2700.
# Token names: qq=q-bar-q  hk=h-with-k  do=d-loop(ꝺ)  b=b-shape(ƀ)  lt=<  eq==  sl=//  et=e-curl(eτ)  mJ=m+descender
# 9  a1=aı  x1=xy  TT=⊥⊥(underlined ii)  G=G-spiral  R=ℌ(h with swash tail)  ss=ſſ tall double  z  S=ſ long-s
# La  mu=µ  Lo  io=ıō  c=¢  sh=♯(crossed tt)  f=ẽ  3  C=c-hook  at=ā  B=ß  g=ℊ  eta=η  sig=σ  zs=ʒ(3-swash)
# lam=λ  k  zy=ẓ(y-loop / L-swash)  pi=π  Rx=℞  m  cg=ç  Vb=v̄  th=ϑ  yn=ÿ  ds=ẟ(δ)  s3=ʓ  ll=double-b  star=✗
# E=€  4  pl=pl  plus=+  md  Sao=ẟao  as=aʓ  RR=ℛ; clear-looking words in quotes-free form: pour que est en bien
# (clear) Envoyez que par
# pass 3 classes: zx=ʒ̶ crossed (s); zs=plain ʒ (s); s3=ʓ/ʒ̂ (r); Sr=ſʳ (null); gl=looped ℊ (f/v); x4=4-star (x); star=✗ (b); ll=ss; md=ce; zy=ẓ (null, z word-final); yn=ÿ (null); blot=ink blot
# v4 (5 Oct 2026): v3 re-checked against native IIIF crops (hi2/): l.3 the ℊ before ſʳ is looped (gl); l.7 end m x1 (ce);
# l.7 start ᵐ C Ꝫ x1 = c o m e (ᵐ = the m-like c, Ꝫ = d3 = m in the key);
# l.8 "€" before cousin is ℒ (null) and the next sign is the m-like c: ℒ m ſſ µ ¢ m aı = cousin; l.10 "€" in afin is Ɛ;
# l.9 end x1 not mJ; l.9 "dar" is a struck-out word (null); l.10 ℊ after aucune is looped (gl); l.11 La ¢ 9 ‡‡ d (the 9 was missed).
qq hk do b lt do eq et mJ d sl 9 do a1 x1 TT G R ss z do eq sl
S La mu Lo io c x1 sl sh z f b 3 sl et mJ C 9 d at eq Lo B g sh eta sl sig zx lam R sl lam k G x1
w s3 La sl mu R ss eq plus th C a1 4 io sig plus TT lt sl x1 9 eq yn ss s3 Lo gl S m s3 zy bien
en Rx m pi sl cg c x1 Vb est S mJ z sl s3 G k zy sl b sh d eta c C a1 zy zx Sr x1 R w io
Sr 3 d zy eq zs 9 sl x1 sig z zy mJ ll d R S T io b eta lt yn La k sl zy s3 b Vb B gl z lam sig et
pl qq zy sl lt sig x1 c sh b mu x4 zy Sr ss gl R G plus TT ss star sl Sr zx d s3 sl w b R zy
m C d3 x1 G sl C eq et x1 zy c 3 E zs zx Sr d zy c b eta ll sl zy x1 s3 ss a1 et d 9 m x1 sl
S lam ss eq sh z k B sl m x1 La d th C 9 zy m ss mu c mJ a1 sh qq N d zs sl c La s3 ds zy
eq dar zs x1 pour c eta m et k sl ss que 9 zs b a1 3 C R x1 c sl qq mJ sl d 9 x1 sl zy a1
RR w io ll d S lam m mu 9 x1 sl gl b a1 G S pour La C lam star G b sl s3 z E mJ a1 yn b g x1
La C 9 sh d sl Sr s3 S La lam mJ c yn d G C lam et md qq lt 3 ss 9 at a1 ss mJ zs G s3 x1 zy
Lo sig d th b s3 blot sl mJ G x1 R Sao S 9 B d a1 mu C plus b plus S sig as sl 9 zy La S b
x1 lam g zy star d eta mu 4 R b sl s3 x1 pour zs c b z z sl R zy eq d La b plus sl Sao
sl s3 eq k 9 zy m io sl s3 eta S B x1 bien

p139.txt

# Colbert 390 p.139, aligned to c390_p139_v4.txt. {n} unread, ~{n}word probable (not counted).
que ie vous tienne pour trop
aduise et affectione {1} loyal ~{8}seruite|
|ur du roy mon ~{4}fils pour vous en dormir bien
en chose qui est {10} et en son serui|
|ce ~{3}ie ne laisseray {3} vous dire qu'il ~{5}fault
bien que vous les yeux ~{5}ouuerts pour obseruer
come totes ~{8}choses passeront en ce
{8} ce de mon cousin {1} ~{4}que_les {6}
ses actions encores que ie n'en
visse aucunement a doubter afin ~{4}de_me
~{8}donner aduis ~{2}et tout ce que vous congnoistre
le meriter {3} ~{8}l'envoyez {9}
{4} beau frere ~{11}se_separe de vostre {2}
{13} bien

c390_p139_reading.md

# Colbert 390 p. 139, the "Deschiffrez vous mesmes" note (1562-63): partial reading

Rests on the transcription `c390_p139_v4.txt` decoded with the working key (`key.md`, Tomokiyo's table calibrated on
the glossed passages of fr. 3181 and Colbert 390), as aligned in `aligned/p139.txt` (passes 1-7, Sept-Oct 2026).
Written out in reading form on 23 Oct 2026 (batch b33) for the bar measure; nothing new is read. `[?word]` = probable
(one sign forced or missing), `[…]` = an unread run of signs (its length in signs in the aligned file). Not read: lines
8-14 are mostly unread runs. Log: `c390_p139_reread_log.md`.

r2j (23 Oct 2026): *fils* carried (plus = s, measured on the 15 Dec 1562 letter); l. 8 *[?voyaige]* proposed (ſ λ ſſ ♯ z k ß … x1 = [a]uoyaig[.]e with ß = g, Tomokiyo's beta; cf. "durant leur voyaige" of the Cardinal of Lorraine in the 15 Dec letter); see `c390_p139_reread_log.md` "r2j".

## Reading

Que ie vous tienne pour trop aduise et affectione [?et] loyal [?seruiteur] du roy mon fils pour vous en dormir bien en chose qui est […] et en son seruice, [?ie] ne laisseray […] vous dire qu'il [?fault] bien que vous [ayez] les yeux [?ouuerts] pour obseruer come totes [?choses] passeront en ce [?voyaige] de mon cousin […] [?que les] […] ses actions, encores que ie n'en visse aucunement a doubter, afin [?de me] [?donner] aduis [?et] tout ce que vous congnoistre le meriter […] [?l'envoyez] […] beau frere [?se separe] de vostre […] […] bien.

c392_p231n.txt

yh=j|- do=- k=i xy=e lt=vous d=e 9=n u=v|u c=o tt=y bs=e mn=la sc=lettre qq=que est=- maue=-|mais mn=la R=r c=o t7=y|t a1=n xy=e d=e
# 5 Oct 2026 native re-check (hi2/c392a.jpg): l.6 the sign in pro_re is the 6-shaped b = p (b6), not the backslash e. l.10 the sign before xy is ıō (i), not w: "ie vous advis". l.13 the sign in s_ns is the raised small z (= a), not a null stroke. l.14 likewise: ꝉ7 ² u C m G = y avoit. dʒ (d with a ʒ tail) = mm, token dz: l.14 fe-mm-e, l.20 co-mm-un (was Fj / R). l.22 the tall crossed sign in ali_nce is the ff-ligature a of the key (ffa); l.25 the raised small z before u is a (au repos).
cs=s 3=c R=r io=i z=a G=t S=a lam=u|v r2=p cs=s u=v|u R=r beta=l|g d=e tu=faict La=d S=a lt=vous g=m|et S=a lam=u|v xy=e x=e|z La=d c=o dd=nn|et x=e|z S=a Y=d lam=u|v m=i|c 3f=o|s
La=d xy=e R=r 9=n io=i d=e 5=r|s bs=e g=m|et xy=e 9=n G=t dd=nn|et tl=-|e S=a La=d lam=u|v m=i|c cs=s bs=e qq=que N=l xy=e 9=n d=e 8=luy at=par beta=l|g d=e Yv=d xy=e mn=la
cs=s xy=e u=v|u R=r d=e G=t xy=e qq=que N=l d=e z=a xy=e 9=n lt=vous d=e a1=n g=m|et c=o m=i|c 9=n La=d 5=r|s d=e cs=s at=par c=o N=l xy=e 3=c dd=nn|et G=t d=e 3=c
g=m|et xy=e 3f=o|s qq=que La=d 8=luy La=d m=i|c 5=r|s d=e 9=n beta=l|g S=a W=ss|b xy=e u=v|u 5=r|s d=e R=r qq=que N=l xy=e mn=la G=t c=o u=v|u eps=e|t d=e G=t d=e N=l
xy=e qq=que La=d d=e cs=s S=a r2=p R=r c=o b6=p 5=r|s d=e r2=p xy=e R=r cs=s c=o dd=nn|et d=e La=d xy=e cs=s c=o 5=r|s G=t d=e qq=que cs=s m=i|c beta=l|g xy=e
Ls=- z=a ss=q|p R=r c=o t7=y|t 9=n #=i|est Lo=- R=r xy=e G=t d=e 9=n u=v|u xy=e 9=n 5=r|s d=e qq=que beta=l|g c=o 9=n La=d d=e cs=s m=i|c 5=r|s d=e
La=d d=e g=m|et ll=-|n eq=- u=v|u beta=l|g G=t 5=r|s d=e plus=- c=o sx=b|c z=a cs=s m=i|c c=o 9=n qq=que 3=c d=e N=l xy=e beta=l|g z=a io=i beta=l|g 9=n t7=y|t ll=-|n
R=r z=a 9=n tt=y La=d b=e u=v|u xy=e 5=r|s z=a r2=p 6=l u=v|u cs=s ca=faire La=d d=e Lo=- V=s m=i|c E=c io=i 3=c u=v|u beta=l|g G=t d=e plus=-
z=a La=d xy=e g=m|et d=e u=v|u R=r z=a 9=n G=t io=i xy=e lt=vous z=a La=d u=v|u m=i|c cs=s qq=que 3=c d=e qq=que io=i d=e lt=vous g=m|et z=a 9=n La=d b=e
qq=que piz=puis|h 3f=o|s 3=c z=a lam=u|v c=o m=i|c G=t io=i 9=n del=com|dit|ont G=t m=i|c 9=n z=a a1=n eps=e|t xy=e 9=n xy=e cs=s r2=p z=a m=i|c a-=g|a a1=n xy=e eps=e|t
c=o u=v|u cs=s beta=l|g xy=e 3f=o|s r2=p 5=r|s c=o La=d b=e ff=a z=a qq=que eq=- x8=d|b G=t xy=e 9=n m=i|c xy=e z=a V=s d=e 3=c #=i|est b=e at=par
G=t a1=n xy=e +=f u=v|u G=t r2=p z=a 3f=o|s cs=s z2=a 9=n 3f=o|s c=o st=c z=a 3f=o|s m=i|c c=o 9=n fc=t|f 7=y xy=e u=v|u cs=s g=m|et d=e 3f=o|s S=a V=s
u=v|u io=i cs=s qq=que 3=c r2=p +=f d=e dz=mm xy=e t7=y|t z2=a u=v|u c=o m=i|c G=t eps=e|t 5=r|s m=i|c u=v|u g=m|et r2=p pi=h b=e La=d xy=e mn=la r2=p
5=r|s d=e g=m|et m=i|c d=e 5=r|s xy=e c=o Fj=u|r b=e R=r G=t u=v|u 5=r|s xy=e qq=que lt=vous 8=luy +=f xy=e m=i|c cs=s G=t d=e 3=c La=d xy=e r2=p g=m|et z=a
R=r m=i|c z=a t7=y|t a-=g|a xy=e io=i d=e 3=c 5=r|s c=o t7=y|t pl=bien qq=que La=d xy=e t7=y|t io=i beta=l|g x=e|z z=a u=v|u 5=r|s Sl=a|s r2=p xy=e u=v|u 3=c pi=h
z=a 9=n beta=l|g d=e R=r La=d z=a V=s u=v|u m=i|c cs=s 3=c c=o Fl=f|s d=e io=i beta=l|g g=m|et xy=e cs=s d=e g=m|et sx=b|c beta=l|g xy=e qq=que piz=puis|h sl=- xy=e 9=n
La=d c=o dd=nn|et d=e z=a W=ss|b xy=e x=e|z del=com|dit|ont c=o dd=nn|et xy=e 9=n beta=l|g 5=r|s z=a 9=n La=d xy=e c=o st=c z=a 3f=o|s io=i c=o 9=n La=d
m=i|c u=v|u lam=u|v xy=e m=i|c N=l xy=e qq=que G=t c=o u=v|u eps=e|t 3f=o|s d=e del=com|dit|ont La=d u=v|u m=i|c cs=s xy=e dd=nn|et cs=s u=v|u sx=b|c d=e La=d xy=e
z=a u=v|u 3=c c=o dz=mm u=v|u 9=n La=d xy=e 3f=o|s m=i|c 5=r|s dd=nn|et del=com|dit|ont G=t z=a 9=n eps=e|t xy=e g=m|et d=e 9=n G=t La=d d=e beta=l|g ss=q|p 3f=o|s
g=m|et z=a m=i|c #=i|est xy=e x=e|z dd=nn|et z=a u=v|u d=e 3=c u=v|u 9=n G=t xy=e beta=l|g dd=nn|et 3f=o|s m=i|c +=f xy=e 5=r|s g=m|et xy=e #=i|est z=a del=com|dit|ont beta=l|g
io=i W=ss|b xy=e g=m|et b=e 9=n G=t La=d z=a g=m|et m=i|c G=t io=i xy=e dd=nn|et z=a N=l m=i|c ffa=a 9=n 3=c d=e qq=que k=i est=- gt=nous G=t
c=o u=v|u 3f=o|s xy=e 9=n R=r d=e W=ss|b xy=e 9=n G=t m=i|c c=o 9=n 3f=o|s G=t z=a 9=n eps=e|t La=d u=v|u 9=n d=e at=par qq=que
Ls=- z=a u=v|u beta=l|g G=t R=r xy=e beta=l|g d=e pl=bien dd=nn|et 6=l u=v|u G=t m=i|c 6=l io=i G=t xy=e z=a 6=l pi=h c=o dd=nn|et xy=e u=v|u 5=r|s
La=d d=e La=d io=i xy=e u=v|u g=m|et z2=a u=v|u 5=r|s xy=e r2=p c=o eq=- La=d d=e beta=l|g z=a 3=c R=r #=i|est io=i xy=e 9=n G=t d=e cs=s

c392.txt

# Colbert 392 p.231 (Bourdin), aligned to c392_p231n.txt. {n} unread, ~{n}word probable (not counted).
ie vous envoye la lettre que {1} la royne e|
|script {3} sur le faict ~{2}dont vous m'auez donne aduis
dernierement {2} aduise que ~{4}l'en_ne luy parle de la
seurete ~{3}qu'el {3} vous en moindres ~{5}paroles et ~{3}ter|
|mes que ~{2}de_luy dire ~{2}ne_l asseurer quele la toute tel|
|e que de sa propre personne de sorte que si le
{3} roy n'est retenu en ~{2}ce que l'on desire
~{10}d'aultre ocasion que cele la il n'y {1}
{4} deuera plus faire de difficulte
~{1}au demeurant ie vous aduis que ce que ie vous mande
que {1} scauoit incontinant en espaigne t|
|ous les pro {4} que {1} ~{6}teniez ~{5}secret {1}
{1} ne fut pas sans ocasion {2} eus mes ad|
|uis que ~{2}sa femme y auoit triumphe de la p|
|remiere ouerture que vous luy feiste {1} de {1} ma|
~{6}riage ie croy bien que {3} il ~{1}y aura peu ch|
|anger d'aduis ~{6}et_conseil me semble que {1} en
donne assez ~{5}comme_en grande ocasion d|
~{2}ieu ~{5}ueuille que tout se conduise et sucede
au commun desir et contantement de ~{3}leurs
maiestez ~{1}et auec un tel et si ferme esta ~{2}bl|
|issement d'amitie et aliance que {2} nous t|
|ous en ressentions tant d'une ~{1}par_t que
aultre le bien et l'utilite a l'honneur
de dieu et au ~{5}repos de la crestiente {1}

f55_v3.txt

# BnF fr. 3181 f. 55, cipher lines 1-13: repo f55_v2.txt with the third-pass edits as checked on the image
# (WAINUT, 27 Oct 2026; written by f55_v3.py --write). Token = sign=value[|other value]; value - = null,
# ? = unread. EE = the ligatured pair of e-signs, read ss [?]. See f55_v3_decryption.md.
do=- at=par rc=o|l|c dv=u|v 10=i z=a plus=y|vostre ct=s 3=c e=e mu=u m=c e=e qq=que lt=vous z=a lam=v e=e x=z La=d e=e s3=s m=c g=o gS=u|v xy=e H=r G=t
xp=- f4=f|- at=par rc=d eb=e mn=la La=d mu=u D=m z=a r5=r 10=i z=a at~=g xy=e ct=s|- tt=et|- plus=vostre z=a La=d dv=v 10=i ct=s s3=s dv=u r5=r mn=la del=con|- La=d mu=u m=i 3=c ct~=t
e=e La=d k=i m=c e=e dv=u 6=l x=x e=e an=n e2=-|n D=m rc=o 9=n 10=i 9=n G=t e=e 9=n G=t 10=i g=o 9=n ct=s|e e=e ct~=t H=r|b ss=q gS=u e=e G=t rc=o dv=u
ct~=t e=e dag=con 4=f g=o r5=r gd=me tt=et|- z=a y=y G=t e=e 9=n dv=u m=c e=e 3=c pi=h e=e D=m 10=i an=n La=d ss=q|con 9=n ct~=t 10=i e=e dv=u xy=e ee=r z=a r=y
m=c e=e Vb=qui b=p rc=o dv=u ee=r z=a ct=s g=o H=r G=t 10=i r5=r 10=i z=a y=y eta=a mu=u ct=s s3=s|si e=e 9=n G=t xy=e 9=n La=d dv=u m=c e=e qq=que 6=l
lt=vous D=m k=i ct=s G=t e=e 9=n z=a mu=v z=a 9=n G=t Vb=qui 6=l z=a mu=v g=o 10=i ct~=t La=d e=e e=e 6=l 10=i xb=b e=e r5=r z=a y=y ca=faire bar=? sc=lettre pl=bien
La=d e=e mn=la phi=chres b=- 10=i e=e 9=n G=t ehat=ost|e tt=et|- eq=- S=a dv=v z=a 9=n 3=c e=e r5=? sc=? m=c g=o 9=n m=c 10=i 6=l e=e z=a 3=c e=e qq=que 10=i mu=u
e=e|s ss=q y=y 3=c amp=h z=a 3=c mu=u 9=n tu=faict ss2=l|s La=d e=e EE=ss z=a 10=i 9=n z=a at=par G=t tt=et|- D=m g=o an=n ct=s ct~=t r5=r H=r e=e r5=r xb=b
g=o f4=n e=e xi=e|et 4=f r5=r dv=u m=c G=t dv=u e=e dv=u ct=s e=e dag=? Gt=rt|t y=y EE=ss dv=u e=e La=d e=e 3=c e=e m=c rc=o 9=n 3=c 10=i ss2=l e=e A=mais gt=nous
ct=s o=o Zm=m e=e ct=s eq=- dv=v rc=o 10=i r5=r 6=l dv=u G=t m=i ss2=l 10=i G=t e=e Vb=qui e=e an=n s3=s g=o Gt=rt 10=i r5=r z=a eq=- Zp=- D=m e=e ct=s
D=m e=e s3=s f=?|m e=e m=c e=e Vb=qui ct=s e=e b=p r5=r g=o D=m e=e 3=c ct~=t La=d e=e s3=s ct=s e=e EE=ss 10=i rc=o 9=n ct=s "decembre" La=d e=e ct=s
qq=que N=? e=e s3=s lt=vous z=a dv=v e=e th=z rc=o y=y at=par sc=lettre r5=s lt=vous sharp=est z=a 9=n G=t La=d e=e r5=r 9=n 10=i e=e r5=r e=e g=m|o e=e an=n G=t z=a h=? D=?
G=t r5=r z=a 9=n G=t e=e //=- A=- vre=- amp=- que=- xix=- ss2=-

f55_v3_decryption.md

# BnF fr. 3181 f. 55, Catherine de Médicis to the bishop of Rennes, 31 July 1563: third pass, line by line

WAINUT, 27 Oct 2026. Base: the repo's transcription `../f55_v2.txt` and line-by-line reading `../aligned/f55.txt`.
Token list of this pass: `f55_v3.txt` (written by `python f55_v3.py --write`). Key: Tomokiyo's Bishop of Rennes'
cipher 1561-1564 (`../images/CharlesIX_Rennes.png`) with the per-hand values of `../f55_v2_reading.md`.
Image: Gallica ark btv1b9059845t, view 36; line n of the cipher block sits at y = 702 + 145(n-1) on the full-size
image, x 4550-8750. Lines 2, 4, 8, 9, 11, 12 and 13 were re-read on crops; lines 2, 4, 8, 9 and 11 were then checked a
second time, independently.

Notation: plain = secure (glossed in this hand or in Tomokiyo's key and fitting every occurrence); *italic* = word
sign; `[?]` after a letter or word = probable or model-proposed value; `{…}` = sign not read; `(null)` = null sign.

| l. | signs → letters | French |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | (do null) *par* o u j a y s c e u c e *que vous* a v e z d e s c o u v e r t | par où j'ay sceu ce que vous avez descouvert |
| 2 | (ℒ null) {ꝥ} *par* d[?] e *la* d u m a r i a g e s *et vostre* a d v i s s u r *la* *con* d u i c t | {…} par delà[?] du mariage[s] et vostre advis sur la conduict- |
| 3 | e d i c e u l x e n (εʃ null) m o n i n t e n t i o n s e t r o u v e t o u | -e d'iceulx en mon intention se trouve tou- |
| 4 | t e *con* f o r m e *et* a y t e n u c e c h e m i n d o n t j e v e r a y[?] | -te conforme, et ay tenu ce chemin, dont je ver[r]ay |
| 5 | c e *qui* p o u r r a s o r t i r j a y a u s s e n t e n d u c e *que* l | ce qui pourra sortir. J'ay auss[i] entendu ce que l{…} |
| 6 | *vous* m i s t e n a v a n t *qui* l a v o i t d e e l i b e r a y *faire* [?pour] *le*[?] *bien* | vous mist en avant, qui l'avoit deeliberay[?] faire pour le bien |
| 7 | d e *la* χ[?] p i e n t é *et* (= null) a v a n c e r *le*[?] c o n c i l e a c e *que* j | de la Chrestienté[?] et avancer le concile, à ce que j- |
| 8 | e o y c h a c u n *faict* {ß} d e [ᑲᑲ = ss?] a i n à *par* t *et* m o n s t r {ℌ} e r b[?] | -e veoy chacun faict {…} dessain[?] à part, et monstr{…}er b- |
| 9 | o n e {ꝗ = et?} f r u c t u e u s e (‡ null?) {ⓖ̃} y [ᑲᑲ = ss?] u e d e c e c o n c i l e *mais nous* | -one [et?] fructueuse {…} yssue[?] de ce concile. Mais nous |
| 10 | s o m e s (=) v o i r l u t i l i t e *qui* e n s o rt i r a (= ⱬ) m e s | sommes [à] voir l'utilité qui en sortira, mes- |
| 11 | m e s {ɾ} e c e *qui* s e p r o m e c t d e s s e [ᑲᑲ = ss?] i o n s **Decembre** (in clear) d e s | -mes{…}e ce qui se promect des sessions[?] [de] Decembre, des- |
| 12 | *que* l e z *vous* a v e z o y *par* [?le] r *vous est* a n t d e r n i e r e m e n t à {h ϑ} | -quelz vous avez oy parler[?], vous estant dernierement à {…} |
| 13 | t r a n t e (nulls: // ʌ vre & que xix ß) | Trante. |

## What changed from v2, and how sure each change is

| place | v2 | this pass | status after the second look |
|---|---|---|---|
| l. 2, first sign ℒ | unread | null (Tomokiyo's null column has a circled L-swash) | confirmed |
| l. 2, heavy sign after *par* | o / l / c | d, giving *par delà* | probable, not secure: the sign is blotted; Tomokiyo's b column also has a similar γ-like sign. Marked [?] |
| l. 4, *ay tenu* | *ayt tenu* | one circled G only, and it belongs to *tenu* | confirmed (v2's token list already had one G; the slip was in the aligned text) |
| l. 4, *je ver[r]ay* | *ie v e r a ?* | ee = r (Tomokiyo's r column); last sign y | ee = r confirmed. The last sign is a small τ/⊤-like form: Tomokiyo's y sign ⊤ or the r-like null ꞅ of his second null column. *je ver[r]ay* or *je vera* is French either way. (The first proposal said Tomokiyo's y column has an "r-small" sign; it does not: it holds only ⴻ and ⊤.) |
| l. 7, ɸ b | unread | χ-p, the *xpienté* abbreviation of *Chrestienté* | plausible; not re-checked on the image. Marked [?] |
| l. 8, *dessain* | d e e e a i n | d e [ᑲᑲ] a i n: one large ᑲ, then a ligatured pair | corrected on the second look (the first proposal counted a single ᑲ and read *desain*) |
| l. 8, last sign | b | struck through by the writer? | open: a heavy diagonal crosses a small looped sign; it may be a cancellation, or Tomokiyo's e sign ↘. v2's b kept with [?], because it gives *bone* with l. 9 |
| l. 9, opening ℊ ⱡ | o n (v2) | b o (first proposal) | v2 restored: in l. 8 *monstrer* the same two signs are o and n, so l. 8-9 read *b\|one [ꝗ = et?] fructueuse*, i.e. *bonne et fructueuse* |
| l. 9, *yssue* | y e e u e e | y [ᑲᑲ] u e: one ᑲ fewer than v2 | confirmed on the crop (ꜧ ᑲ ᑲ ɗ ᑲ La) |
| l. 11, *sessions* | s e e e i o n s | s e [ᑲᑲ] i o n s | confirmed on the crop (ʒ ¢ ᑲ ᑲ ᑲ 1̄0 ʗ 9 ¢) |
| ᑲᑲ = ss | - | proposed | plausible [?]: it stands in all three places where the French needs *ss* (dessain, yssue, sessions). No gloss in this hand confirms it; Tomokiyo's s column has an "ll"-like homophone (row 5) that may be this pair, but his small key image cannot settle it |

Not re-checked on the image in this pass: *pour le bien* (l. 6) and *oy parler* (l. 12). Both need the sign the repo
calls `sc` (v2 value *lettre*) to stand for *le*. Marked [?].

## Controls (`python f55_v3.py`, output in `f55_v3_output.txt`)

Share of letters covered by French words of 3 or more letters: v2 0.764; first proposal 0.788; this pass as checked
0.793. Letter values shuffled among the signs (200 runs): median 0.342, best 0.444. Token order shuffled within each
line (200 runs): median 0.436, best 0.502. The key gives French that no control run comes near. This tests the
decryption as a whole, not each disputed sign.

f55_v3_reading.md

# BnF fr. 3181 f. 55, Catherine de Médicis to the bishop of Rennes, 31 July 1563 - reading of the cipher, third pass

# WAINUT, 27 Oct 2026. The thirteen cipher lines as sentences (from f55_v3_decryption.md), between the clear words
# printed by La Ferrière, Lettres de Catherine de Médicis II (1885), pp. 79-80, who left the cipher blank
# ("Partie chiffrée"). Clear text in the lines marked "clear". Holes: {…} = signs not read; word[?] or [?word] =
# probable or model-proposed value; [x] = letter or word supplied. Doubts on single signs: see the decryption file.

## Clear (La Ferrière): Monsieur de Rennes, je n'ay receu vostre lettre du xviii.e de juing que depuis sept ou huit jours, c'est pour

## Cipher, ll. 1-13

Par où j'ay sceu ce que vous avez descouvert {…} par delà[?] du mariage[s], et vostre advis sur la conduicte d'iceulx, en mon intention se trouve toute conforme; et ay tenu ce chemin, dont je ver[r]ay ce qui pourra sortir.

J'ay auss[i] entendu ce que l{…} vous mist en avant, qui l'avoit deeliberay[?] faire pour le[?] bien de la Chrestienté[?] et avancer le concile.

A ce que je veoy, chacun faict {…} dessain[?] à part; et monstr{…}er b[?]one [et?] fructueuse {…} yssue[?] de ce concile.

Mais nous sommes [à] voir l'utilité qui en sortira, mesmes{…}e ce qui se promect des sessions[?] [de] Decembre, desquelz vous avez oy parler[?], vous estant dernierement à {…} Trante.

## Clear (La Ferrière): Au demeurant, je veulx bien vous advertir que, après avoir essayé tous moyens de faire départir la royne d'Angleterre de la place du Havre-de-Grâce ...

## Still open in the cipher
## l. 2 {…}: a null, et (Tomokiyo's g-tail sign) or vous (v2's guess). l. 5-6 l{…}: the subject is lost (l'[on]? le
## [roy des Romains]?), there are no signs for either. l. 6: l'avoit délibéré written with -ay, or a new clause
## [je] délibéray faire. l. 8 {…} before dessain (son expected) and the extra sign inside monstr{…}er. l. 8 last sign:
## b or a cancellation. l. 9 {…} after fructueuse. l. 11 mesmes{…}e. l. 12 the two signs h ϑ before Trante (h = b by a
## gloss, ϑ = m): no word fits; perhaps a place abbreviation. ᑲᑲ = ss is unconfirmed by any gloss.

f55_v3_translation.md

# BnF fr. 3181 f. 55, Catherine de Médicis to the bishop of Rennes, 31 July 1563 - English translation, third pass

# WAINUT, 27 Oct 2026, from f55_v3_reading.md. Holes as in the reading: {…} = signs not read; [?] = probable or
# model-proposed; [x] = supplied. The two clear framing sentences are translated from La Ferrière's print.

## Clear: Monsieur de Rennes, I received your letter of 18 June only seven or eight days ago; it is for

## Cipher, ll. 1-13

By which I learned what you discovered {…} over there[?] about the marriage[s], and your advice on how to conduct them, with which my intention is found to agree in full; and I have held to this course, and I shall see what may come of it.

I have also heard what {…} put forward to you, which he had resolved[?] to do for the good of Christendom[?] and to advance the Council.

As far as I can see, each one pursues {…} design[?] apart; and to show a good[?] [and?] fruitful {…} outcome[?] of this Council.

But we have yet to see what benefit will come of it, in particular{…} what is promised from the December sessions[?], which you heard talk[?] of when you were lately at {…} Trent.

## Clear: For the rest, I wish to let you know that, having tried every means to make the Queen of England give up the town of Le Havre ...