Originally from Angoulême, François Ravaillac was born in a France torn apart by religious wars. A devout Catholic, Ravaillac has visions and seems unhinged for the monks to whom he wishes to pronounce his vows. If he comes from a family of the robed bourgeoisie, his father, brutal, squanders the fortune of his wife. He therefore grew up in an unstable family climate. After doing various jobs, he became a teacher. Not forgiving the king for having signed the Edict of Nantes in 1598, which granted freedom of worship and conscience to Protestants, François Ravaillac planned to assassinate him. As he follows the carriage of Henri IV who has come to visit Sully, ill, the royal convoy stops:a cart of hay blocks the way. Ravaillac seizes the opportunity and stabs the king twice, in the heart of Paris, rue de la Ferronnerie, on May 14, 1610. Henri IV expires. Arrested immediately, Ravaillac does not seek to flee. After a hasty judgment, he died stretched in Place de Grève 13 days later, under the eyes of a hysterical crowd.
1577 - May 27, 1610
Status
Teacher
Regicide