ABSTRACT
Few sixteenth-century festivals were as politically charged as the journey made by the Emperor Charles V through France in the winter of 1539 to 1540, for it represented a complete U-turn in Franco-imperial relations. Before becoming a fully-fledged emperor, Charles V needed to be crowned by the pope, preferably in Rome. France's foreign policy underwent a remarkable change; Francis suddenly chose to become the emperor's friend. The person responsible for this change was the constable of France, Anne de Montmorency, who directed the king's foreign policy between 1538 and 1541. Preparations for Charles V's entry into Paris had begun in early November. The echevins, or aldermen, received their marching orders from the chancellor, Guillaume Poyet, and the constable of France, Anne de Montmorency, the king's leading ministers. On 30 November, Jean Croquet, echevin of Paris, reported to the prevot des marchands on a mission he had just carried out on behalf of the city.
