In 1547, Holy Roman Emperor Charles V penned a letter to his ambassador, Jean de Saint-Mauris, part of which was written in the ruler's secret code. Nearly five centuries later, researchers have ...

Charles V's letter was written shortly after the death of England's King Henry VIII, who was an important ally of Francis I. Fearing that Henry VIII's death might destabilize France and cause its ...

French scientists have decoded a letter written in 1547 by the Holy Roman Emperor Charles V. The three-page letter uncovers secrets of the 16th century, including assassination fears.

Charles protested too much. Over the preceding four decades, he had attained power on a scale unparalleled in medieval Europe . . . By the age of 19, Charles had come into his inheritance.