“La guerre de Renty : branlez vos piques soldats” is a song intended to be sung by four voices. It was published in 1559 by Le Roy & Ballard. Clément Janequin wrote three songs to celebrate Francis, the Duke of Guise, this one is the easiest. He worked for Guises at the middle of the century. This song is based on the fight that happened between René of Guise, Marquis d’Elbeuf and Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor, on August 12, 1554. The historian Pierre de Bourdeille said that René of Guise was the winner of the fight because he was brave and wise. This vision is amplified with the last verses of the song. The binary and ternary sections and the interjections “À cheval,” “À mont,” and “À l’étendart” give rhythm to this eulogistic sheet music.
