Lot 158
Metz, France. Document concerning payments to a garrison, in French
Dated at Metz, 17 April 1586
Rare Books, Manuscripts, Maps & Photographs - Including the Trevor Dawson Magic Collection | 613
Auction: 30 September 2020 at 11:00 BST
Description
single sheet, 402 x 357mm, vellum, 37 lines in brown ink in a fine documentary hand, signed at the bottom edge by Roger de Comminges, Lord of Saubole, Regnault de Rene and Richard Landon, docket with 16th century inscription, creases, light soiling to edges, a few small stains
Footnote
Note: “Roolle de la monstre et Reveue faicte en la ville de Metz le dix septiesme jour d’apuril mil cinq cents quatre vingts six d’une compagnie de cinquante hommes de guerre, harquebusiers a cheval estant pour le service du Roy en garnison en la y ville de Metz soubs la charge du cappitaine Saubolle, leur cappitaine par nous Regnault de Rene, commissaire extraordinaire des guerres …”, granted by Germain Le Charron, treasurer of the King.
The Imperial Free City of Metz was one of three bishoprics in Lorraine long claimed by the kings of France. In January 1552, Henry II of Valois demanded it as the price of his alliance with the German princes against the Emperor Charles V. Metz was occupied by the French in April 1552 and the Duke of Guise, François I de Lorraine, was appointed governor. By the summer, Charles V raised an army to put the German princes revolt down and recapture Metz. The siege began in earnest on 31st October and the Emperor himself arrived on 20th November. However, the city was strongly held, so that by the end of the year, it was clear that the siege had failed. It was lifted on January 1553. Charles V made another attempt to retake the bishopric one year later, but this also ended in failure. As a result the bishopric remained in French hands and was officially ceded to France at the end of the Thirty Years War.
Metz was one of the most important fortified towns of the sixteenth century, being the main stronghold on the French eastern borders. In 1583, the King, Henry III appointed the Duke of Epernon as Governnor. In 1586 his cousin Roger de Comminges Sauboler was also appointed captain, leading an army of fifty men-at-arms.