2-368-211 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

Pierre Terrail de Bayard, French soldier of the 16th century, 1882-1884. Famous for his skill as a commander and for his chivalry, Pierre Terrail, Seigneur de Bayard (1473-1524) distiguished himself fighting against the Holy Roman Empire in the Italian Wars. Amongst his exploits he was said to have held the bridge at Garigliano against 200 Spaniards in 1503. In 1513 he was captured by the English after they routed the French army at the Battle of the Spurs. Henry VIII was apparently so impressed with Bayard's gallantry that he released him without ransom, subject to his agreement not to take up arms again for six weeks. War broke out again between France and the Holy Roman Empire in 1515 and Bayard successfully held the fortress of Mezieres for long enough to save France from invasion. He later returned to the conflict in Italy, where he was mortally wounded by an arquebus ball at the Battle of the Sesia in 1524. A print from La France et les Français à Travers les Siècles, Volume II, F Roy editor, A Challamel, Saint-Antoine, 1882-1884.