French king Henri IV sent an emissary to the Paris home of his superintendent of finances, the Duc de Sully, in 1610 to request his presence at a meeting. On the arrival the messenger was shocked to find Sully taking a bath. The Duc prepared to leave his bath and attend the king but the messenger stalled him, alarmed. "Monsieur, do not quit your bath," he said. "I fear that the king cares so much for your health,and so depends on it, that if he had known you were in such a situation, he would have come here himself." With that emissary returned to Henri who, after taking medical advice, decided to reschedule the meeting at Sully's house. The Duc received a note telling him to greet the king the following day" in your nightshirt, your leggings, your slippers and your nightcap, so that you come to no harm as a result of your recent bath."
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| Medieval child bath |
