Licence: Public Domain Mark
Credit: Sales catalogue 538: Maggs Bros. Source: Wellcome Collection.
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![FRANCIS I OF FRANCE CHALLENGES THE EMPEROR CHARLES V TO A DUEL. 79 CHARLES V OF GERMANY AND I OF SPAIN (1500-1558). EBT PER SIGNED BY THE EMPEROR AS KING OF SPAIN; ADDRESS? D 1O HIS COUSIN THE’DUKE OF ARCOS. I page, folio. Moncon, 15th June, 1528. (SEE ILLUSTRATION, PLATE No. IV). £105 The Emperor announces the arrival at Moncon of a messenger from the King of France [Francis I.] challenging him to a duel, ‘‘ in conse- quence of certain words which I had addressed to his Ambassadors [seconds| and the said messenger at the time that he and the messenger from the King of England announced the duel in Burgos . . . and I had thought that by this means we might settle our differences and avoid war and bloodshed; deeming it preferable to risk my life rather than witness the death and trouble of my vassals and kingdoms.’’ He adds that the challenge was made in the presence of all the pre- lates, grandees and knights who were in Monc¢on, and that he intends to reply ‘‘as befit my honour and that of my kingdoms ’”’; promising to let the Duke know their decision, as he regards him “ as a person who is a true and loyal servitor of mine, who desires our honour and loves to serve us.’’ Charles had offered to accept the two millions of crowns which Fran- cis I. had proposed to pay as an equivalent for the Duchy of Burgundy, and to set his sons at liberty, on condition that Francis would recall his army out of Italy and restore Genoa, together with the other con- quests he had made in that country, but Francis’ views were now changed, and he insisted that his sons should be set at liberty before the French troops left Italy, or he surrendered Genoa. The unreason- ableness of these demands irritated Charles to such a degree that he would hardly listen to them with patience, declaring that he would not depart in the smallest article from the conditions offered. Francis de- clared war, and the Emperér’s reply so exasperated Francis that he challenged him to a single combat requiring him to name the time and place for the encounter and the weapons with which he chose to fight. Charles readily accepted, but after several messages, all thoughts of this duel were entirely laid aside.](https://iiif.wellcomecollection.org/image/b31647182_0039.jp2/full/800%2C/0/default.jpg)
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