King Henry II of France spent his entire life fighting against the threat of the Hapsburg Dynasty and the Holy Roman Empire. His chief rival was Holy Roman Emperor Charles V. After finally vanquishing Charles and agreeing to peace terms favorable to France in 1559, Henry staged a jousting tournament in celebration. It was a grand affair full of colorful pageantry. To open the ceremonies, Henry came dressed in his finest armor, a suit designed by French goldsmith and engraver Étienne Delaune that glorified war and Henry’s military prowess. His ceremonial shield was an ornate and intricately designed piece of art that was richly engraved with an image depicting Hannibal’s victory over the Romans in an obvious allusion to the struggle of France against the Holy Roman Empire during the 16th Century.