CHARLES V: (1500-1558) Holy Roman Emperor and Archduke of Austria 1519-56, King of Spain (Castile and Aragon) 1516-56, and Lord of the Netherlands as titular Duke of Burgundy 1506-55. A fine D.S., Carol[us], one page (vellum), oblong folio, Genoa, 18^th October 1536, in Latin. The attractively penned manuscript document confirms Girolamo Brebbia in his position as General Treasurer of the Duchy of Milan. Some very light, minor staining and age wear and with two neat slits where a seal would originally have been affixed, about VG

In 1535 Francesco II Sforza, the Duke of Milan, had died without heirs and Charles V annexed the territory as a vacant imperial state with the help of Massimiliano Stampa, one of the most influential courtiers of the late Duke. Charles V successfully held on to all of its Italian territories, although they were invaded again on multiple occasions during the Italian wars. Genoa, where the present document was signed, was, at the time, effectively governed by the Genoese statesman and Admiral Andrea Doria who had been in the service of Charles V since 1528.