In 1552, King Henry II of France and members of the Schmalkaldic League signed the Treaty of Chambord and Metz passed "de facto" into the hands of the Kings of France. The population of the city peacefully accepted the conditions of the treaty. Emperor Charles V, during the Italian War of 1551–1559, made an attempt to regain overlordship of Metz by force of arms, besieging the city in 1552–1553. However, his troops were defeated by the French army defending the city under the command of Francis, Duke of Guise, and Metz remained French. A bridge castle from the 13th century, the "Porte des allemands" (German Gate), which played a crucial defensive role during the siege, is still visible today, and bullet impacts from the muskets used during the assaults can be seen on its facade.