Charles IX

In the early period of 1569, he developed a romantic relationship with Marie Touchet. His mother expressed her support for their relationship.

He got married with Elizabeth of Austria in 1570. She was the daughter of Maximilian II. They had a daughter named Marie-Elisabeth who died young. He also had an illegitimate son with his mistress Marie.

In later period of his life, he was suffering from poor mental and physical condition. Courtiers began to fear for their lived due to his violent rage. Moreover, his suffering from dementia complicated his health condition.

Charles IX was born as Charles Maximilian, the third son of King Henry II of France and Catherine de’Medici in the royal palace of Chateau de Saint-Germain-en-Laye, located about 19 km west of Paris, France.

After his birth, he was made Duke of Orleans when his older brother Louis died. After the death of his brother Francis II in 1560, he became King. As he was only ten years old at that time, his mother acted as a regent.

At that time, his mother Catherine’s decision to recognize the Protestants’ right to practice their religion publicly outside of the cities made the ultra-Catholics angry. Their anger translated into the massacre of Protestants which is better known as the Massacre of Vassy.

The massacre paved way for the first war of Religion. In an attempt to maintain peace, Catherine mediated a truce and proclaimed the Edict of Amboise in 1563.In the month of August of the same year, the King declared his legal majority and with the help of this majority, he ended the regency of his mother.

In the next year, Charles became a Knight of the Order of the Garter at St. George’s Chapel, Windsor Castle. From 1564 to 1566, along with his mother, he went on a grand tour of France.

During this tour, he issued the Edict of Roussillon. This edict standardised January 1 as the first day of the year across France. At the same time, through his Edict of Cremieu, he exercised royal control on the municipal election.

In 1567, when he became aware of iconoclasm in Flanders, he expressed his support towards Catholics there. As its consequence, the Protestants feared a Catholic attack and attempted to abduct the King at Meaux.

They also seized several cities. Moreover, they organized the massacre of Catholics at Nimes. This incident is better known as the Michelade. As its result, the Battle of Saint-Denis began in which the Protestants faced defeat.

This war ended in 1568, after the treaty of the Peace of Longjumeau was signed. This treaty proved to be advantageous for the Protestants. As its result, agitation started again and took the form of war.

In the month of August in 1570, the King signed the Peace of Saint-German-en-Laye. This treaty marked the end of the third of the French Wars of Religion and granted concessions to the Protestants.

Later, when the King came in contact with Admiral Gaspard de Coligny, the King’s mother Catherine became anxious regarding the impact of powerful Admiral on the King.