rier; in 1363 and 1365, against the English brigands under command of Arnaud de Cervole; in 1444, against DukeRené of Anjou and King Charles VII of France; and in 1473, against Duke Nicholas I of Lorraine. Nonetheless, Metz kept its independence and gained the nicknames of "The Maid" and "The Unviolated".
Emperor Charles IV in 1354 and 1356 held diets in Metz, at the latter of which was promulgated the Golden Bull decree of 1356, fixing important constitutional aspects of the Holy Roman Empire. However, the rulers of Metz felt that the city occupied an almost independent position between the Kingdom of France and the Holy Roman Empire and wanted to evade the obligation of imperial taxes and attendance at the Imperial Diets. A estrangement soon grew between the Free Imperial City and the Imperial States, enhanced by the religious and political troubles of the Schmalkaldic War.
Integration in the kingdom of France, French Revolution, and First and Second French Empires
In 1552, King Henry II of France and members of the Schmalkaldic League signed the Treaty of Chambord and Metz was passed de facto to the hands of the Kings of France.The population of the city peacefully accepted the conditions of the treaty. Emperor Charles Vduring the Italian War of 1551–1559 made military attempt to forcibly regain the over lordship over Metz, besieging the city in 1552–1553. However, his troops were defeated by the French army defending the city under the command of Duke of Guise and Metz remained French. A bridge castle from the 13th century, the Germans' Gate, which played a crucial defensive role during the siege, stills visible today and bullet impacts from the muskets used during the assaults can be seen on its facade.
Under the rule of the Kings of France, important constitutional changes were made to the Republic of Metz. While the aldermen continued to administer the city, they were appointed by a Royal Governor, representative of the king,
