The site near Calais, where Henry VIII of England met Francis I of France in June 1520, in an attempt to forge a diplomatic alliance. Henry’s retinue was made up of more than 5000 people. He wrestled, danced, jousted, and tilted with Francis for almost a fortnight, amid scenes of great festivity and pageantry. However, the two sovereigns retained their initial mutual suspicions, and within days of leaving Francis, Henry met the French king’s arch-rival, Emperor Charles V, at Gravelines.