Emperor CHARLES V (Rey CARLOS I) – Letter signed – State of Milan - 1548 Emperor CHARLES V (1500-1558) Emperor of Holy Roman Empire and King of Spain under the name of Carlos I. Most powerful monarch of the first half of the 16th century. Letter signed “Carolus” to Hernando de Gonzaga*, Prince of Molfetta, governor of the Milanese (“Consejo del estado de Milan”), Augusta (Augsburg), February 1, 1548, in Spanish, 1 p in folio, address on the back, stamp of arms, countersigned by secretary Vargas (Francisco Vargas, minister of Charles V then of King Philip II). Object of the rivalry between the kings of France, claiming dynastic rights over the Duchy of Milan, and the Empire, from the Italian wars to the Renaissance, the Duchy of Milan fell into the fold of Charles V in 1535. Related letter to the administration of the State of Milan by Emperor Charles V. Here, the Emperor asks his governor and captain general Hernando de Gonzaga that the 150 crowns deposited be paid in full for the expenses of the State of Milan. « […] Principe del nuestro consejo, governador del estado de Milan y nuestro Captan general Porque por parte de Francisco Rodiano de Cremona nos ha sido hecha relacion que de los ciento y cinquenta escudos de consignacion, de que le hizimos en esse estado, no ha podido cobrar hasta agora cosa alguna, y nuestra voluntad es que aquellos le sean enteremento pagados, os encargamos y mandamos que haziendo averiguar lo que por la dicha razon se le deve y huviere justamente de haver, proveays y deis orden como a que se le pague y satisfaga enteramente y con effecto, de qualesquier dineros dessa nuestra camara de donde mejor y con mas brevedad se pudiere hazer, y que adelante se le continue, conforme a su privilegio, sin que en ello haya falta ni dilacion […] ». * Ferdinand of Gonzaga (1507-1557), Prince of Molfetta, Viceroy of Sicily from 1535 to 1546, Governor of the Duchy of Milan from 1546 to 1554. Great soldier, loyal to Charles V. He took part in the sack of Rome in 1527 and then became general-in-chief of the imperial army. He defended Naples against French troops and obtained the surrender of the Republic of Florence. Charles V appointed him viceroy of Sicily in 1535 then governor of the Duchy of Milan in 1546. No shipping outside European Union