The site of the meeting is known as Camp du Drap d’Or (known in English as the Field of the Cloth of Gold). It was on June 7, 1520, that the two kings met on a diplomatic mission, and held 18 days of some of the most luxurious festivities ever seen, between the towns of Ardres and Guînes (Pas-de-Calais, Hauts-de-France).
There were feasts, jousting matches, and balls.
Why did this happen?
In 1519, Europe was said to be entering a new era, after the death of Maximilian I, Holy Roman Emperor on January 12.
Three men were competing to take his place: Charles, King of Spain; François I, King of France; and Henry VIII, King of England - with the latter encouraged to enter the race by the Pope.
The title of Holy Roman Emperor was symbolic, but it conferred huge prestige.
At this time, what was known as the Holy Roman Empire covered a vast land area; including Spain, most of what is now modern-day Italy and Germany, Austria, Belgium, the Netherlands, and Switzerland. It also included the French towns of Lille, Dunkirk, Strasbourg and Chambéry.
It soon became clear that the battle was between Charles and François I. The former spent two tonnes of gold on convincing - or buying - the votes of the princes who would make the choice; the latter spent one and a half tonnes of gold.
Charles, King of Spain - who was the grandson of the late Maximilian I - was eventually elected to the position in Frankfurt, on June 28, 1519.
Despite his defeat, François I was not ready to retreat from more European influence.
After the most recent Italian War, he had become Duke of Milan, but still longed to take the kingdom of Naples. Preparing for a fight with Spain, France sought allies.
King Henry VIII of England appeared to be a good option.
(King François I. Image: Jean Clouet / Public Domain)
The two kings - advised by their councillors, especially the powerful Cardinal Wolsey in England - decided to meet near Calais, which was, at the time, the only English-ruled area in Europe.
French nobleman and chronicler, Martin Du Bellay, whose memoirs of the Italian Wars are considered one of the most significant primary sources of the era, explains: “The year 1519 saw an interview take place between their two Majesties, with the aim that they might, in person, confirm the ...
Subscribe now to The Connexion and benefit from access to our archived articles since 2006
Pay every three months. Our most flexible subscription.
Automatic renewal, cancel anytime
1 year of great reading in print and online
Automatic renewal, cancel anytime
1 year of great reading online *no paper*
Automatic renewal, cancel anytime
3 months of great reading online *no paper*
Automatic renewal, cancel anytime
"expensive" - Google News
June 07, 2020 at 06:10PM
https://ift.tt/30kcVnc
500 years of Franco-English 'most expensive festival' - The Connexion
"expensive" - Google News
https://ift.tt/2GwwnlN
Shoes Man Tutorial
Pos News Update
Meme Update
Korean Entertainment News
Japan News Update
Bagikan Berita Ini
0 Response to "500 years of Franco-English 'most expensive festival' - The Connexion"
Post a Comment