Historical Figures

Anthony of Bourbon (1518 – 1562)

Blood prince of the House of Bourbon (descendant of Louis IX), Antoine de Bourbon is the brother of Louis de Condé and the father of Henri de Navarre (Henri IV). He becomes king of Navarre thanks to his marriage with Jeanne d'Albret. With his wife, he participated in the introduction of Calvinism in his kingdom. But being close to the power of the Court, he oscillated between Catholics and Protestants, thus coming into conflict with his brother and his own wife who will remain one of the great figures of the Huguenots. He therefore fought with the Catholics during the first war of religion, as lieutenant general of the kingdom. He died of his wound during the siege of Rouen in 1562.