C'est mon excuse pour auoir la commodite de uoir le porteur · Lx = et · 6 = c · ʒo = vous

Castets, Bordeaux, La Rochelle → Villeroy · homophonic letter cipher with word signs · March–June 1586 · read from existing decipherment, partial

Camus de Pontcarré to Villeroy, 1586

Nicolas de Neufville, seigneur de Villeroy
toNicolas de Neufville, seigneur de Villeroy

A royal agent's secret channel to an unnamed contact during the Guyenne campaign of 1586; three cipher blocks deciphered completely from the margin decipherments, checked against the corrected key.

Daniel Bourdeau · posted

Method · ff. 111v-112r and the f. 151r middle block, read from the margin decipherments: read from existing decipherment (complete) · f. 134v blocks B and C: read from existing decipherment (partial) · ff. 132v, 134v A, 151r margin and foot, 272r-v: decoded, not read: read with known key (none)

Contributed by Michael Brackx (solution) and Satoshi Tomokiyo (key or decipherment used) · Also credited · Contemporary key or decipherment (key or decipherment used)

At a glanceRead from existing decipherment · partial · 3 of 9 blocks read, 2 in part

The letters
Claude Camus de Pontcarré to Villeroy, the King's secretary of state, from Castets (21 March and 1 April 1586), Bordeaux (early and 12 April) and La Rochelle (June). Clear letters with cipher blocks.
Where
Bibliothèque nationale de France, fr. 15572 ff. 111v, 112r, 132v, 134v, 151r, 272r–v (Gallica). Not in DECODE or the catalogue.
The cipher
Invented and Latin-like signs, several for each letter, some signs with two or three values, word signs for de, la, le, qui/que, et, pour/par, vous, car, and nulls.
How it was deciphered
The cipher was deciphered at the time in the margins of ff. 111v–112r, 134v and 151r. Michael Brackx transcribed every block and applied Tomokiyo's key table, which he corrected against those decipherments; the readings follow the margin where it fits the figures and the figures where they differ.
What it says
Camus's carrier to “le parent” can no longer help; Villeroy is to send separate ciphered packets, with code names for the carrier (“le beau frere”) and for Camus (“le seruiteur”).
Still open
ff. 132v, 134v block A, the f. 151r margin and foot blocks and ff. 272r–v give phrases between gaps; 57 rare signs have no value.
Credit
Transcription, corrected key and readings: Michael Brackx (@brackxm) with Claude Code, 22–23 October 2026 (issue #91). Key table: Satoshi Tomokiyo, Cryptiana.

The same volume holds Matignon's and Mayenne's despatches in other ciphers (Mayenne–Forget) and Malicorne's letter of 21 April 1586 (Malicorne 1586), a different cipher with its own page.

01 The letters

leaflettercipherdecipherment at the timehere
f. 111vCastets, 21 March 15867 linesinterlinear and full marginread (0.961)
f. 112rsame letter8 linesinterlinear and full marginread (0.974)
f. 132vCastets, 1 April 1586one blocknonedecoded, not read
f. 134vBordeaux, 3(?) April 1586blocks A, B, Ca margin note beside eachA decoded, not read; B 0.781, C 0.812 in part
f. 151rBordeaux, 12 April 1586middle, margin and foot blocksnote beside the middle blockmiddle read (0.963); others decoded, not read
ff. 272r–vLa Rochelle, June 158611 + 21 linesnonedecoded, not read

The figures are the share of words read as sense, holes and doubtful words counted against it. Satoshi Tomokiyo's Cryptiana lists these leaves under “Camus's Cipher” with a key table and one opening phrase, but gives no reading of the blocks.

02 The key

Brackx corrected Tomokiyo's table where the margin decipherments and contact sheets of every sign required it: the sign 6 is c (and g), the plain round e is r and the looped e s, a circled G is g, ŋ is o (also l and u), φ stands for ff, f or mm, a large crossed L with a loop (Ⱡ) is the word et, ‡ is b, ɱ is l, and ʒo is the word vous. Each change rests on cribs, or on two contexts and a contact sheet. The plain 9 and ŋ still carry three values each. The label legend, with each sign's shape, is in the repository.

03 The reading

In the writer's spelling, without added accents; [?] an unread word, [?word] doubtful. Where the figures and the margin differ, the figures are followed.

f. 111v, Castets, 21 March 1586

Ie escriuis au porteur par home expres, et en attendant responce; mais puis que le parent n'est plus en ce pays, ie me trouue fort empesche comme i'ay a me gouuerner, car cedit porteur ne me peult plus ayder, mesmes a me faire ueoir. Commandez ce que iugerez pour le mieux et pour le seruice du sieur que scauez, et serez obey et serui ainsi que le prescrirez, car ie uous [?] [?] [?]

I wrote to the bearer by a man sent expressly, and while awaiting the answer; but since the relative is no longer in this country, I find myself much at a loss how to govern myself, for the said bearer can no longer help me, nor even get me seen. Command what you judge best, and for the service of the lord you know of, and you will be obeyed and served as you prescribe, for I [?] you [?] [?]

f. 112r, the same letter

plaira m'escrire de l'affaire du parent, [?et] me faire ung pacquet a part, car aultrement le [?serment] ne faict difficulte de ueoir les lettres, tant il est curieux; et s'il uous plaist que ce soit enchiffre selon le memoire que uous laisse, auquel il uous plaira adiouster, pour le nom de celluy qui porte la lettre au parent, ces deux mots: le beau frere ou le porteur; et pour moy: le seruiteur ou l'oblige.

Please write to me about the affair of the relative, [?and] make me a separate packet, for otherwise the [?oath-bound one] does not scruple to look at the letters, so curious is he; and if you please, let it be ciphered according to the memorandum I leave you, to which you will please add, for the name of him who carries the letter to the relative, these two words: the brother-in-law or the bearer; and for me: the servant or the obliged one.

f. 134v, Bordeaux, early April 1586, blocks B and C

Plusieurs discourent [?sur] la demande de [?Frenac], et aussi que le traicte estant a Comont, qui ne [?peult] estre [?sauue], [?] [?] qui y commande, et croit on [?on] ne dict tout.

Ledict porteur donne fort peu d'esperance au secours, [?et] [?le] fruict de son uoyage [?]

Several are talking [?about] the demand of [?Frenac], and also that the treaty being at Caumont, which cannot be [?saved], [?] [?] who commands there, and it is believed [?that] not everything is told. — The said bearer gives very little hope of relief, [?and] [?the] fruit of his journey [?]

f. 151r, Bordeaux, 12 April 1586, middle block

C'est mon excuse pour auoir la commodite de uoir le porteur et dresser la partie que scauez, que i'espere s'effectuera lundy et sans [?subson].

It is my excuse for having the opportunity of seeing the bearer and arranging the matter you know of, which I hope will be carried out on Monday and without [?suspicion]. (The margin has soupcon.)

04 How it was done

05 What remains

Full texts

The transcription and the decryption of every document on this page, so that the reading can be used and checked. Short files are shown here; all are in the repository.

f. 111v

Camus to Villeroy from Castets, 21 March 1586: the old carrier to 'le parent', the secret contact, can no longer help; Camus asks for orders for the service of 'the lord you know of'.

Transcription

f111v_transcription.txt

# f. 111v (canvas 118 left), cipher block at the foot
# Michael Brackx, round-2 labels (brackx2026/legend.md); / = divider
fe hs ?b 7 o tw E ?b yz 7 es / al z zp y E th 9 c rho / ss 10 y o 9 G oo e E 9 es /
et 9 qn r vt 9 sn es E d6 es oo y sn es f / a r n zs oo y n es / U mb f zp r e o sn d6 9 4 es th
14 zp mb c es 9 sn tw f / oo r n zs 7 f / a o th E 9 2 f zf y E th / f a oo o es tw 10 f / 6 zo 9 n r ssi r
a o cg zo 2 f E 9 o e ls 9 mb f mb n tw th oo y E th 9 z e 9 o a f oo f c y th / oo mb c es / al ?is md f ?q /
a 9 es ?b f zt / r a o ?l vt r n E 9 z 9 y 7 e / 6 y ph fa 9 k o es tw f 4z z z cg 9 E o es / xo y f
a n 9 z ?x / et xo / mb f / zp o E zt n 8 f md c tw n f tw es zp e d6 tw r z 9 mb / et z 9 E o e zo oo f ssi
etm es f E c rho / r n qn rho U yz o / oo E f es tw e rho E f car 7 o 30 z y vt mb oo 9 / et ls r 9 th oo mb 8 o
Decryption

f111v_decryption.txt

# f. 111v (canvas 118 left), cipher block at the foot: raw decryption with the round-2 key (Brackx), one line per cipher line; · = null sign
1. ··eiecriuis auportous parhleexprres
2. etenefensrtsponse maispuis queleuerenteest
3. eplusense paisie metrouefort empesche coniaia
4. megouernermelelictportournemepeuut plus ledes
5. mesmes amesfaireueoir commandesceuuugeres parle
6. mieux etpour le peruiceduciessurtceuol etuererobey
7. etserui ainsquele prescrirecarieuousuoflpo etmentplse

# Contemporary decipherment on the leaf (its own letters; word division not the scribe's)
je escrivis au porteur par home expres / et en attendant responce mais puis que le parent nest / plus en ce pays je me trouve fort empesche comme jay a / me gouverner car cedit porteur ne me peult plus ayder / mesmes a me faire voir commandez ce que jugerez pour le / mieux et pour le service du sieur que scavez et serez obey / et servi ainsi que le prescrirez quant
Reading

reading_f111v.md

# f. 111v (canvas 118 left), cipher block at the foot: reading in the writer's spelling (Michael Brackx, issue #91, 23 Oct 2026)

Ie escriuis au porteur par home expres, et en attendant responce; mais puis que le parent n'est plus en ce pays, ie me trouue fort empesche comme i'ay a me gouuerner, car cedit porteur ne me peult plus ayder, mesmes a me faire ueoir. Commandez ce que iugerez pour le mieux et pour le seruice du sieur que scauez, et serez obey et serui ainsi que le prescrirez, car ie uous [?] [?] [?]
Translation

reading_f111v_en.md

# f. 111v (canvas 118 left), cipher block at the foot: English

I wrote to the bearer by a man sent expressly, and while awaiting the answer; but since the relative is no longer in this country, I find myself much at a loss how to govern myself, for the said bearer can no longer help me, nor even get me seen. Command what you judge best, and for the service of the lord you know of, and you will be obeyed and served as you prescribe, for I [?] you [?] [?]

f. 112r

The same letter continued: Villeroy should send separate packets ciphered with the memorandum Camus left, with code names 'le beau frere' or 'le porteur' for the carrier and 'le seruiteur' or 'l'oblige' for Camus.

Transcription

f112r_transcription.txt

# f. 112r (canvas 118 right), cipher block at the head
# Michael Brackx, round-2 labels (brackx2026/legend.md); / = divider
oo mb x 7 E r / a 9 ?w ls E rho e o / k 9 mb r ph o md zp / oo fa e . f 9 th ?alm f vt r n E f /
zf fa rho e o zp qn oo fa aq z o th / x . ss d6 / car r z mb th E o a f 9 d6 / mb o / ls rho r a 9 f th sn f
rho r n d6 th / o o 7 ph rho 6 z mb th o / k o ?rv f y n E a 9 ?w / mb E f es / th r qn th / n mb 9 e f
6 y e rho 9 z e / ?Fet ?w rho mb 30 / oo yz r 7 tw th U / 6 o ?w y n th / 9 qn 8 10 ph E f /
etm f3 o mb rho qn zl o / a f ls zo rho E f U 30 / mb r n yz o x zp U mb / rho mb 30 oo mb r 7
e f / x md rho y c ?w th o E / xo xl ?b qn y a tri / 6 9 zl z z ssi xb oo zo E th r / tb mb e o
r y oo r e o d6 d6 6 f ?w / k o z G / a y th 8 / xl oo o r z ph E 9 e f y c xl z y E th f zp e
etm xo a dag ssi xl ?w f e c 7 th o z E / dag z zl zo oo o zl 7 cg 9 /
Decryption

f112r_decryption.txt

# f. 112r (canvas 118 right), cipher block at the head: raw decryption with the round-2 key (Brackx), one line per cipher line; · = null sign
1. plaire mesmrire delamedu par·eetmefaire
2. faireunbaquet a·part caraultrement le miemeetne
3. saitt eeifficulte deueoirmes lres tent ilere
4. curiour ssiluous plaistque cesoit enchfre
5. etselinle memoirequeuous laileauquel iluousplai
6. re adiouster parlesnomde celuuileporta lalre
7. alberettces deux mots lebeaufrereouleuorteur
8. etpourmoyleseruiteur oulobelign

# Contemporary decipherment on the leaf (its own letters; word division not the scribe's)
plaira mescrire de laffaire du parent qu il fault me faire ung pacquet a part car aultrement le serment ne faict difficulte de veoir les lettres tant il est curieux et sil vous plaist que ce soit enchiffre selon le memoire que vous laisse auquel il vous plaira adiouster pour le nom de celluy qui porte la lettre au parent ces deux mots le beau frere ou le porteur et pour moy le serviteur ou loblige
Reading

reading_f112r.md

# f. 112r (canvas 118 right), cipher block at the head: reading in the writer's spelling (Michael Brackx, issue #91, 23 Oct 2026)

plaira m'escrire de l'affaire du parent, [?et] me faire ung pacquet a part, car aultrement le [?ser]ment ne faict difficulte de ueoir les lettres, tant il est curieux; et s'il uous plaist que ce soit enchiffre selon le memoire que uous laisse, auquel il uous plaira adiouster, pour le nom de celluy qui porte la lettre au parent, ces deux mots: le beau frere ou le porteur; et pour moy: le seruiteur ou l'oblige.
Translation

reading_f112r_en.md

# f. 112r (canvas 118 right), cipher block at the head: English

please write to me about the affair of the relative, [?and] make me a separate packet, for otherwise the [?oath-bound one] does not scruple to look at the letters, so curious is he; and if you please, let it be ciphered according to the memorandum I leave you, to which you will please add, for the name of him who carries the letter to the relative, these two words: the brother-in-law or the bearer; and for me: the servant or the obliged one.

f. 132v decoded, not read

Castets, 1 April 1586: phrases about the bearer and the 'poursuivant'; no contemporary decipherment.

A mechanical decode with holes in most sentences: shown so that the transcription and the key can be checked and improved, not as a reading.

Transcription

f132v_transcription.txt

# f. 132v; line 0 = interlinear insertion (^ = insertion mark). Proofread pass J5 at 1.6x from p132v.jpg; xpos in f132_groups_joint_xpos.txt
^ mb 9 oo y e th f c E
/ md fe / es 7 rho 9 oo z 7 es / fe z 9 y n e / md ^
7 x c rho es 9 3 r ssi / r z 9 tw ! mb c ssi / U mb ls y rho 9 qn / n yz ! ssi r yz e x / k 9
zp y 2 dag 7 E / r oo y tw 10 9 E / xl xo es z rho c r qn th / xb es 9 zp th / zp y E tb fe
9 es mb y rho cg qn f / ?fo tw r ?hs2 ?pc f tri / ?xt hq 9 a rho qn / ?fo ?blob yz r th rho E tw y f es r z o
8
Decryption

f132v_decryption.txt

# f. 132v: decoded, not read. Phrases from the round-2 decode (Michael Brackx, issue #91 body, 22 Oct 2026); lightly normalised spelling; … = unread; [ ] restored; (?) doubtful

[ce] porteur … si je puis veoir … j'aurai(?) avec lui … approcher le poursuivant … esloigné … de chemin …

f. 134v, block A decoded, not read

Bordeaux, early April 1586: seeing the bearer, something to be presented to the 'poursuivant'; the margin paraphrases.

A mechanical decode with holes in most sentences: shown so that the transcription and the key can be checked and improved, not as a reading.

Transcription

f134vA_transcription.txt

# f. 134v block A (5 lines, after "en ceste ville # Xo"; the 5th line, missing before, ends before "dict dans peu de jours"). Proofread pass J6 from p134v.jpg
z o y 7 E / xl oo y E th f c E / xb es rho o f3 d6 / 9 qn ?sb 7 ssi / e o qn md c
rho mb qn r y 8 9 / zp e f f3 o sn th 9 E / tb mb E o / tri mb r / a ssi / r z ?ff
zp r E f / qn th / Lx tb 9 qn sn y e o ?lh rho rho mb es o 9n rho ?rhox r / md 9 a fa 7 d6
z o E es / xl xo es z 7 c x qn th / xo mb c ssi / zf fa 7 E o / th E f 2 f e
oo y qn / xb yz y ssi r cg o / ?ed es o E c 7 th f z e /
Decryption

f134vA_decryption.txt

# f. 134v block A: decoded, not read. Phrases from the round-2 decode (Michael Brackx, issue #91 body, 22 Oct 2026); lightly normalised spelling; … = unread; [ ] restored; (?) doubtful

[pour] veoir le porteur qui s'est … rendu. Il n'a … présenter … de la … et la encore qu'il … vers le poursuivant par luy faire treuver … bon … voyage(?) … serviteur …

f. 134v, block B read in part

Talk of the 'demande de Frenac' and of the treaty at Caumont, which cannot be saved.

Builds coherent sentences, but under the read bar of 95% of words read as sense (78% here); the holes are marked in the reading.

Transcription

f134vB_transcription.txt

# f. 134v, block B (5 lines)
# Michael Brackx, round-2 labels (brackx2026/legend.md); / = divider
oo mb z es / 7 f c E f3 / md 7 es tw y c e f qn th /
?alxt o E tb ?blob md f ?alm r qn md f tri ?sb r o fa ?rn es / Lx r c y ssi / xb mb th E r 7 8
th 9 / o es th fa qn d6 / x dc y ls dag sn th / xb 9n f oo 9 z mb th 9 es d6 e o
es r 9 es / o 7 z fa qn es / xb ssi 8 y ph fa sn k o / Lx tw E y 7 th dag qn
sn y qn sn f md 7 dc th d6 y z th /
Decryption

f134vB_decryption.txt

# f. 134v, block B (5 lines): raw decryption with the round-2 key (Brackx), one line per cipher line; · = null sign
1. blus ieurs discourent
2. rerlandemandedefeeals etauoy quiltraic
3. te estant acomont quinepoultestre
4. sens eiuans quiycommande etcroiton
5. nonnedicttout

# Contemporary decipherment on the leaf (its own letters; word division not the scribe's)
plus de seurete sur la demande de frenac et aussi que le traicte estant a caumont qui ne peut estre sauve qui y commande et croit on
Reading

reading_f134vB.md

# f. 134v, block B (5 lines): reading in the writer's spelling (Michael Brackx, issue #91, 23 Oct 2026)

Plusieurs discourent [?sur] la demande de [?Frenac], et aussi que le traicte estant a Comont, qui ne [?peult] estre [?sauue], [?] [?] qui y commande, et croit on [?on] ne dict tout.
Translation

reading_f134vB_en.md

# f. 134v, block B (5 lines): English

Several are talking [?about] the demand of [?Frenac], and also that the treaty being at Caumont, which cannot be [?saved], [?] [?] who commands there, and it is believed [?that] not everything is told.

f. 134v, block C read in part

The bearer gives very little hope of relief (secours) from his journey.

Builds coherent sentences, but under the read bar of 95% of words read as sense (81% here); the holes are marked in the reading.

Transcription

f134vC_transcription.txt

# f. 134v, block C (foot, 3 lines)
# Michael Brackx, round-2 labels (brackx2026/legend.md); / = divider
mb f md 7 dc th / oo y E f z 3 / md y ?nab o / ?13 zo e th .
oo 9 c md o es zp f e r qn 8 o / fa z / es o dc o / 7 th o c 3 md . f
?sb E z 7 dc th / tri es y qn z y ssi r 6 o fe ?sb2 ?14
Decryption

f134vC_decryption.txt

# f. 134v, block C (foot, 3 lines): raw decryption with the round-2 key (Brackx), one line per cipher line; · = null sign
1. ledict plreur dune fort·
2. peudesperance au sece iteurd·e
3. fruict desonuoyage·de

# Contemporary decipherment on the leaf (its own letters; word division not the scribe's)
Led. porteur [?donne] fort peu desperance au secours, et [le] fruict de son voyage
Reading

reading_f134vC.md

# f. 134v, block C (foot, 3 lines): reading in the writer's spelling (Michael Brackx, issue #91, 23 Oct 2026)

Ledict porteur donne fort peu d'esperance au secours, [?et] [?le] fruict de son uoyage [?]
Translation

reading_f134vC_en.md

# f. 134v, block C (foot, 3 lines): English

The said bearer gives very little hope of relief, [?and] [?the] fruit of his journey [?]

f. 151r, middle block

Bordeaux, 12 April 1586: seeing the bearer is Camus's excuse to arrange 'la partie que scauez', which he hopes will be carried out on Monday without suspicion.

Transcription

f151r_transcription.txt

# f. 151r, middle block (4 lines)
# Michael Brackx, round-2 labels (brackx2026/legend.md); / = divider
hs ?ff es r 9 f3 th o / a y qn f G 8 z es 9 / xo r z y 7 E
mb r dc y ?oslash dag md 7 th o / tri z y n E / tb / oo y E th r z e / Lx md E o
n f e / tb ss thx 7 o / U es dc r z o es / U 7 9 es oo f E o / es f ph f ?amp
thx c f E x / mb z md ssi Lx es r qn es f3 y oo f3 dag qn /
Decryption

f151r_decryption.txt

# f. 151r, middle block (4 lines): raw decryption with the round-2 key (Brackx), one line per cipher line; · = null sign
1. ·nsaeste monexcuse pourauoir
2. lecommodite deuoir la porteur etdre
3. ier lapartie quescauez queiespere seffec
4. tuera ludietsanssubson

# Contemporary decipherment on the leaf (its own letters; word division not the scribe's)
Cest mon excuse pour avoir la commodite de voir le porteur et dresser la partie que scavez que jespere se executera lundy sans soupcon
Reading

reading_f151r.md

# f. 151r, middle block (4 lines): reading in the writer's spelling (Michael Brackx, issue #91, 23 Oct 2026)

C'est mon excuse pour auoir la commodite de uoir le porteur et dresser la partie que scauez, que i'espere s'effectuera lundy et sans [?subson].
Translation

reading_f151r_en.md

# f. 151r, middle block (4 lines): English

It is my excuse for having the opportunity of seeing the bearer and arranging the matter you know of, which I hope will be carried out on Monday and without [?suspicion].

f. 151r, margin and foot blocks decoded, not read

Courtesies and a note about 'l'amy'; the margin block has a free clear version, the foot block's crib has an unread first line.

A mechanical decode with holes in most sentences: shown so that the transcription and the key can be checked and improved, not as a reading.

Transcription

f151r_margin_foot_transcription.txt

# left margin, vertical (read in c/margU.jpg orientation); l. 2 begins after the clear "Vous supp[lie]"; clear version = the postscript in the top-left margin
tri ?sb r 7 E o 8 f xb a 9 es th 8 y ph r qn md f / Lx ssi es 9 E z 7 e xb a 7 9 z ?ang U xo E r ssi
hs U mb r a ssi th e 9 2 o 7 8 ssi a 9 es th E 9 / es 10 z a dd mb 9 es r z x dd y ?nab f
6 E r 8 f
# foot block, 2 lines below the date (upright, not rotated); crib = note in the bottom-left margin "...lamy qui me faict peu ..."
mb 9 oo y E th f z e / qn r z E f es o qn ?w o / x r yz E o tri mb r a ssi xb
?sb r 7 8 thx oo o z ?bd es oo 9 E o e / 7 o 4 mb r 7 ?zx o E r ssi xo th z qn tb
Decryption

f151r_margin_foot_decryption.txt

# f. 151r margin and foot blocks: decoded, not read. Phrases from the round-2 decode (Michael Brackx, issue #91 body, 22 Oct 2026); lightly normalised spelling; … = unread; [ ] restored; (?) doubtful

Margin: de faire ce qui m'est commandé et y servir le mieux que [je] pourray … que l'amy trouve … icy m'estre … très humbles … à vos bonnes grâces.
Foot: le porteur n'a … de l'amy qui … faict peu espérer … pour …

ff. 272r-v decoded, not read

La Rochelle, June 1586: men sent to see Camus about their part with 'le parent', without telling him anything particular; Camus asks to be relieved and withdrawn.

A mechanical decode with holes in most sentences: shown so that the transcription and the key can be checked and improved, not as a reading.

Transcription

f272_transcription.txt

# f. 272r (canvas 281 right, foot), 11 lines. Proofread pass J5 from p272r.jpg; xpos in f272_groups_joint_xpos.txt
hs et es ?3d ?ed f3 x 7 a r qn d6 md r E 9 qn md z / mb 9 es ?bigc f3 ?ed hs
es 9 zp d6 7 o a f Lx md y z z 8 n f ls o md z oo x y o f qn 8 ?jt es th f xb xl
md f z G 7 f es a f tri 8 f ls y ssi f3 es f z al o a 9 9 8 th Lx hs ?sb z d6 mb y 9n
cg th f ls zp es x z f tw al y ssi xb mb hs sn f a o xl r es E f sn k n n d6 hs r rho
sn es es f z al o a 9 qn th tw f al o es tri mb r a ssi U yz c sn a y qn d6 E o r oo x E o qn a 9
sn th hs r z y rho e 9 es d6 9 ?rhox ?d2 f rho th f es Lx z c ?cap pi th e r n qn th mb c ssi 11
z r 7 e 9 c o y 7 e ss tw f al o es U a hs c rho o es f et tw e 7 thx ss a ?rhox qn 10 ?2 o
U a o ls r sn k n 9 f3 a fa y y zo rho e f f3 tw e 7 thx ss hs mb 11 z ssi Lx tw e y ssi
xl mb r sn o qn md rho rho d6 tri xl es c o y 7 e r c 9 8 U y hs ?hb c o a f rho al 9 ?2 e
md 9 sn 10 rho ph e o c E Lx mb 9 o es th tw 7 mb x ?zx z mb c es o qn th rho e tri a zo ssi 8 o
?fo mb 30 r z y rho th zp y o z hs ls f 8 e rho E o al o md 7 es r qn th U k x r tb ?g9 hs
# f. 272v (canvas 282 left), 21 lines
mb z d6 r z y 7 o qn th md y ?nab 8 10 r e cg f tri z o rho e r z o 8 a ?rhox ssi 8 ?rhot f rho ?blob
fa c e zo n d6 r 8 o cg qn ?d2 f sn 9 e f qn 8 f ?pl mb md o f c y 7 th md 7 e o tri
y f c e ss th r z oo fa E o qn th tw r sn es a f E rho 9 qn md 7 rho o tri ss th 7 8 c yz n 9 e
es ?rhox sn ?rhox qn xo zp o qn es o es r oo E 9 sn md e o tri a y ssi U mb hs ?bigl z o 8 10 y es f
tri tb sn o cg y th rho r d6 rho ?rhox 9 tri tb hs 8 es c e tw z ?rhox ssi qn o sn c ssi r ?sb oo o c 11
md 7 e f U 8 c n U es 8 es r z pi ?cap o es th e o tb c o e 7 d6 f ?fo o es th U 30
fa ssi x sn th a x qn md f 8 f U r c y ssi es oo 9 c fa zp e f qn md E o tri yz 10 o a f yz e tri
hs 8 f es rho o 8 y c e d6 a x z 7 o ?cap f es 8 e rho th tri qn o al r ?bigy f es tb o e r fa c mb
th E o tw 10 es f f3 rho qn ?rhox sn oo f qn es f E r a fa md f mb rho z e fa sn 8 o ?tx a 9
e o th 7 e thx E md 7 tw ssi et oo mb z es th y es th U xo e r ssi 8 ?rhox o fa z ?blob ?d2 7
rho r ssi md rho tw th et es o a dd mb r oo yz f fa dd y ?d2 hs 11 7 n o qn ?dd2 dc ?ang fa c oo qn th hs
z y n o f e th 7L o z ?14 e o f o es th r qn th d6 y z es md c es G 11 hs ?sb n o y e th 7L ?blob
hs z e 7L 7 11 o ?14 c o f G Lx xo thx o md d6 o qn c es ?ed xo es z 11 7 7L c x sn th
mb o U yz 7L a x md 7 ss th et 11 yz mb o es tw y cg qn y 7 th th o es th e o md y c 7L mb f r
Lx qn f es ssi ?q9 rho 11 7 7L o e Lx et qn o 8 10 7L e 11 tw rho f qn th U r hs 7L
es 7 qn cg ?14 o e f E r z G r n o ph o es xo 8 o zp r 7 e o f a oo mb y 7 o e
?rhox 9 th 7 o sn d6 x z yz 7 rho 8 ssi U ?cc tri ?ft 11 7 e ?ff ?i es zo o f qn tw 7L mb o ?sb y
e th tri tb 8 tw z qn sn 7L ?rhox f ?ft y ?z yz n o o fa z xl 11 yz r f qn zp zo ssi o ?blob oo mb
z es 7 o z 7L es z o e es et es y mb md fa th tri E rho c fa e cg c f Lx es y 6 ?ca ?dd2 o qn
md e f Lx z y c mb md e y 7 es et mb cg f c es th o o rho o qn z r 7 8 d6 f ?17 o es th r
qn th es 7 qn o 8 f yz fa rho E 9
Decryption

f272_decryption.txt

# ff. 272r-v: decoded, not read. Phrases from the round-2 decode (Michael Brackx, issue #91 body, 22 Oct 2026); lightly normalised spelling; … = unread; [ ] restored; (?) doubtful

… deuxiesme de ce mois … seulement … temps avec luy qu'il … seulement … de l'amy … m'avoit escrit par … de moy … il vous avoit pleu m'escrire, le disant … avoient donc charge de veoir avec moy … leur part au parent, sans me rien dire de particulier … pour penser apprendre de moy quelque chose de la négotiation de la … la vérité, c'est que vous … ayant mandé ce que avois peu apprendre de l'humeur de … m'avoit escrit … sinon penser à ma délivrance … retirer d'icy et plus tost que pourray … j'ay dict … semblable … estant tous du … lequel m'a dict … il les cognoit … et ne chérissent … employer … plusieurs … et soldats … je voudrois … aux affères …

Key: key_r2.txt

06 Sources

The transcription, key, legend, decryptions, readings and translations are in the repository folder targets/camus1586/.