Henri II (1519-1547-1559) declared war against Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor, in 1551 with the intention of recapturing Italy and making France the dominant European power. With the signing of the Peace of Cateau-Cambrésis in 1559, France renounced claims to Italian territory, though it did gain other territory. While Spain still remained as the dominant power in Europe, the Holy Roman Empire had also been weakened. While at a jousting match during celebrations for the signing of this treaty, a fragment from a splintered lance wounded Henri in the eye, and he died from this on July 10, 1559.

Jones notes that the reverse design seems related to a medal design by Delaune which dates from 1556. Also, unlike a number of other struck medals with the same obverse inscription and a similar portrait, this medal is known only in cast examples.