Henri II of France

Born in the Royal Château at Saint-Germain-en-Laye, France, the son of Francis I and Claude de France, his marriage was arranged to Catherine de Medici (1519-1589) on October 28, 1533 when both were 14 years old.

He was crowned king on July 25, 1547 in the cathedral at Reims. His reign was marked by wars with Austria, and the persecution of the Protestant Huguenots. Henry II severely punished them, burning them alive or cutting out their tongues for speaking their Protestant beliefs. Even someone suspected of being a Huguenot was imprisoned for life.

Henry II was an avid hunter and participant in jousting tournaments. On July 1, 1559, during a match to celebrate a peace treaty with his longtime enemies, the Hapsburgs of Austria and to celebrate the marriage of his daughter Elizabeth to King Philip II of Spain, King Henry's eye was pierced by a sliver that penetrated the brain, from the shattered lance of Gabriel Montgomery, captain of the King's Scottish Guard. He suffered terribly, passing away on July 10, 1559 and was buried in a cadaver tomb in Saint Denis Basilica.

He was succeeded by his son, Francis II. Henri II's death resulted in the next forty years in France being filled with turbulence as his sons and other claimants to the French crown fought for power.

Issue:

1. Francis II, (January 19, 1544 - December 5, 1560)
2. Elisabeth de France, (April 2, 1545 - October 3, 1568)
3. Claude, (November 12, 1547 - February 21, 1575)
4. Louis, (February 3, 1549 - October, 1549)
5. Charles-Maximilien (Charles IX), (June 27, 1550 - May 30, 1574)
6. Edouard Alexandre (Henry III), (September 19, 1551 - August 2, 1589)
7. Marguerite de Valois, (May 14, 1553 - March 27, 1615)
8. Hercule (François), Duke of Alençon and Anjou, (March 18, 1555 - June 19, 1584)
9. Jeanne, (June 24, 1556 - June 24, 1556) (Twin - died at birth)
10. Victoire, (June 24, 1556 - August, 1556) (Twin - died at two months)

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