Henry III of France
Overview
Henry III was King of France from 1574 to 1589. As Henry of Valois, he was the first elected monarch of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth
with the dual titles of King of Poland and Grand Duke of Lithuania from 1573 to 1575.
Henry was born at the Royal Château de Fontainebleau, Seine-et-Marne, fourth son of King Henry II
and Catherine de' Medici
, grandson of Francis I of France
and Claude of France
, and brother of Francis II of France
and Charles IX of France
. He was made Duke of Angoulême and Duke of Orléans in 1560, and Duke of Anjou in 1566.
In 1564, his name became Henri.
Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth
The Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth was a dualistic state of Poland and Lithuania ruled by a common monarch. It was the largest and one of the most populous countries of 16th- and 17th‑century Europe with some and a multi-ethnic population of 11 million at its peak in the early 17th century...
with the dual titles of King of Poland and Grand Duke of Lithuania from 1573 to 1575.
Henry was born at the Royal Château de Fontainebleau, Seine-et-Marne, fourth son of King Henry II
Henry II of France
Henry II was King of France from 31 March 1547 until his death in 1559.-Early years:Henry was born in the royal Château de Saint-Germain-en-Laye, near Paris, the son of Francis I and Claude, Duchess of Brittany .His father was captured at the Battle of Pavia in 1525 by his sworn enemy,...
and Catherine de' Medici
Catherine de' Medici
Catherine de' Medici was an Italian noblewoman who was Queen consort of France from 1547 until 1559, as the wife of King Henry II of France....
, grandson of Francis I of France
Francis I of France
Francis I was King of France from 1515 until his death. During his reign, huge cultural changes took place in France and he has been called France's original Renaissance monarch...
and Claude of France
Claude of France
Claude of France was a princess and queen consort of France and ruling Duchess of Brittany. She was the eldest daughter of Louis XII of France and Anne, Duchess of Brittany....
, and brother of Francis II of France
Francis II of France
Francis II was aged 15 when he succeeded to the throne of France after the accidental death of his father, King Henry II, in 1559. He reigned for 18 months before he died in December 1560...
and Charles IX of France
Charles IX of France
Charles IX was King of France, ruling from 1560 until his death. His reign was dominated by the Wars of Religion. He is best known as king at the time of the St. Bartholomew's Day Massacre.-Childhood:...
. He was made Duke of Angoulême and Duke of Orléans in 1560, and Duke of Anjou in 1566.
In 1564, his name became Henri.
Timeline
1574 Henry III becomes King of France.
1575 Henry III of France is crowned at Rheims, marrying Louise de Lorraine-Vaudémont on the same day.
1577 The Peace of Bergerac is signed between Henry III of France and the Huguenots.
1578 Duel of the Mignons claims the lives of two favourites of Henry III of France and two favorites of Henry I, Duke of Guise.
1588 French Wars of Religion: Henry III of France flees Paris after Henry of Guise enters the city.