Queen of France, regent, mother of 3 kings of France and a queen of Spain. The life of Catherine de Medici has caused a lot of ink to flow. Her role as a mother was the most important of her life, punctuated by intrigues and manipulations to elevate them to the highest rank. Through this article, discover the life of the children of Catherine de Medici and her husband King Henry II.
Francis II
First of the children of Catherine de Medici and of the King of France Henri II, François II was born on January 19, 1544. Heir to the crown, he ascended the throne July 10, 1559 , after his father was killed during a tournament. But it is a troubled kingdom that King Henry II leaves to his son.
Political quarrels between the Duke of Guise and the Prince of Condé, religious dissension against the Protestants, the responsibilities are very heavy for a young man who became king much too soon . Even if he is supported and helped by his mother Catherine de Medici, François II struggles to maintain peace in the kingdom. He then entrusted the reins of power to the Duke of Guise and the Cardinal of Lorraine, the uncles of his famous wife, Mary Stuart, Queen of Scotland and pretender to the throne of England.
But the first of the children of Catherine de Medici and Henry II did not reign long. A little over a year after his coronation, the young sovereign dies of severe ear pain , probably caused by otitis. At only 16 years old, François II, first of the children of Catherine de Médicis, died without leaving an heir to the crown. It was his younger brother, Charles IX, who was then crowned King of France.
Elisabeth of France
First daughter, and second of the children of Catherine de Medici and King Henry II, Elisabeth of France was born on April 2, 1545 at the Château de Fontainebleau. At birth, his father was still only Dauphin of France. It was not until the following year that Henry II took the reins of power and ascended the throne of France. His education is done alongside Marie Stuart , Queen of Scotland and future wife of Francis II, Elizabeth's brother.
While France is in conflict with Spain, a peace treaty comes to mention the marriage of Elisabeth with King Philip II of Spain. The young princess was then 14 years old , and the future husband is 34 years old.
But a tragic event upsets the festivities and delays Elisabeth's departure for Spain:King Henry II dies following a lance splinter in the eye. The young bride finally leaves France November 18, 1559. From this union, two daughters were born. The daughter of Henri II and Catherine de Medici dies at only 23 years old, while she is 5 months pregnant, leaving a husband filled with grief.
Claude of France
Claude de France is the fifth of the children of Catherine de Médicis and Henri II. Born on November 12, 1547 at the Château de Fontainebleau, this princess bears the first name in homage to her paternal aunt, Queen Claude.
After having been educated by his elder sister and his sister-in-law Marie Stuart, Claude de France was given in marriage at 11 years old to Charles III , Duke of Lorraine and Bar. From this union, the princess gave birth to 9 children. She died very young, at only 27 years old.
Louis of France
Born on February 3, 1549 at the Château de Fontainebleau, the fourth of the children of Catherine de Medici and Henri II was born under the name of Louis. At birth, the young prince received the Duchy of Orleans, which gave him the name of Louis III. King Henry II and his wife have many plans for their second son .
But their son will experience a tragic fate. Louis de France died on October 24, 1550 at less than 2 years old, plunging the family into great sadness.
Charles IX
The future Charles IX was only 10 years old when his older brother François II died in 1560, thus passing on to him the crown of France . The fifth of the children of Catherine de Medici and Henri II is very young to take on such a role. The responsibilities of the kingdom of France are therefore entrusted to Catherine de Medici, who becomes queen regent.
It was not until 1570 that he took the reins of power, he was already 20 years old. It must be said that studies and work do not fascinate the second of the children of Catherine de Medici, who prefers to indulge in hunting. Charles IX will then chain errors and follies.
He will in particular authorize the massacre of Saint-Barthélemy on August 24, 1572, where nearly 30,000 Protestants were killed across France. King of France in fragile health, Charles IX was weakened following these events tragic. He stays in bed for several days at the Château de Vincennes, before dying on May 30, 1574, a few days before he turns 24.
Henry III
Sixth of the children of Catherine de Medici and Henri II, Henri III was the last king of the Valois dynasty. Catherine de Medici's favorite son sees his reputation falsified after the introduction of his "mignons" at court . Today we see Henry III as an eccentric, homosexual king, incapable of reigning over the kingdom of France. It is important to note that the famous "mignons" of Henry III are in fact only companions in arms , devoted to their Monarch.
Before succeeding his royal brother Charles IX, Henry ascended the throne of Poland. This title returned to him thanks to the talents and finances of his mother Catherine de Medici. As a favorite son, she wanted to ensure him a bright future. It was without suspecting that he would one day ascend the throne of France. Henry III is notably known for having initiated court etiquette , making him superior to all others.
Under the reign of Henri III, the wars of religion resumed with renewed vigour, associated with a multitude of political intrigues. This earned him to be driven out of Paris, then to be assassinated by a monk. The fourth child of Catherine de Medici and Henri II died on August 2, 1589 at the age of 38. His younger brother having died, Henry III named his brother-in-law, Henry of Navarre, as his successor. His death puts an end to the Valois dynasty , giving way to that of the Bourbons.
Marguerite of France
Better known as Queen Margot , Marguerite de France is the third child of Catherine de Medici and King Henry II. She was born on May 14, 1553 at the Château de Saint Germain. The princess receives an education worthy of her rank, alongside her older brothers.
She was only 6 years old when her father died, and your brother François II ascended the throne. When her brother Charles IX takes the crown on the death of her older brother, Marguerite of France remains at the court of France. It was here that she would meet her future husband Henri de Navarre , who is none other than the heir apparent to the throne, and the future Henry IV. The union between Queen Margot and Henri de Navarre is purely political.
The latter being of Protestant faith, their marriage would serve to reconcile the quarrels which have been raging for some time between Protestants and Catholics. The wedding was celebrated on August 18, 1572, i.e. 6 days before the Saint-Barthélemy massacre . This marriage between Queen Margot and Henri de Navarre did not prevent this religious war from taking place.
On February 27, 1594, Henri de Navarre ascended the throne of France, becoming Henri IV, one of the kings who had the most impact on history . Marguerite of France then becomes Queen of France. Despite these celebrations, the couple's relationship is not looking good.
After 22 years of marriage, Queen Margot has still not given birth to Henri IV , and therefore no heir for France. Henri IV asks for the annulment of their marriage, in favor of Marie de Médicis, mother of the future Louis XIII. The third of Catherine de Medici's children went into exile in Auvergne, and finally returned to court in 1605. Resentments put aside, she found a role as adviser to Marie de Medici , who takes over the regency of the kingdom on the death of her royal husband. Queen Margot finds eternal rest on March 26, 1615.
Francis of France
Eighth of the children of Catherine de Medici and Henri II, and last of the sons, François de France was born on March 18, 1555 at the Château de Fontainebleau. In order to seal an alliance with England, Catherine de Medici and Henry II propose their son François of France as husband for the future Queen Elizabeth I .
But the negotiations are ultimately unsuccessful. The young prince then initiated a political career, and positioned himself as leader of the opposition party. He then takes on the role of rebellious brother of the family . François of France could have ascended the throne of France, but he died at only 29 years old, which caused a change of dynasty of royalty.
Victory of France
After giving 8 children to the King of France, Catherine de Medici becomes pregnant again. This time it's twins. The first born is none other than Victoire de France. After a painful childbirth, and a tragic fate for the second twin, Victoire de France died two months after being born .
Jeanne de France
Last of the children of Catherine de Medici, Jeanne de France comes out of her mother's womb after her twin sister Victoire. But very quickly, the doctors will realize that the youngest is stillborn . She is also badly positioned in the belly of Catherine de Medici, which puts the queen in great danger .
Following this painful childbirth both physically and emotionally, the Queen of France made the decision to no longer give an heir to the crown.