Henry IV
(Henry IV of France)
1553–1610 |
Henry IV, king of both France and the small country of Navarre, is most significant for his measures of religious toleration in France, the first in that country. A Protestant who converted to Catholicism to gain the French throne, Henry retained peace and greatly improved the lives of his subjects through adopted policies, making him one of France’s most popular leaders.
Henry was born a Catholic in the French court but converted to Protestantism alongside his mother. As a young man, he fought in the French Wars of Religion on the side of the Huguenots, but after his mother’s death he left for Navarre to take up his role as king. He was at this time already arranged to be married to the French princess Margaret of Valois, and they were wed outside Notre Dame to allow for their separate faith traditions. The marriage made him successor to the French crown, but because of his religion, the War of the Three Henries was fought between the current king, Henry of Navarre, and the staunchly Catholic Duke of Guise.
Eventually Henry won the throne but was forced out of Paris by the Catholic League. After a failed attempt to retake the city, he instead converted to Catholicism before taking the French crown so as not to further arouse the Roman Catholic population, a decision that angered the French Huguenots. Despite some initial turmoil, however, he quickly gained popularity, lowering taxes on citizens and genuinely caring about their needs. He made peace with the Ottoman Emperor and funded exploits to East Asia, hoping to establish a trade route. He appeased the Huguenots by allowing them religious freedom through the Edict of Nantes, which provided several “safe” cities free of harassment and prejudice. Despite the great affection shown him by his people, however, he was ultimately assassinated by a Catholic fanatic, who stabbed him to death while he sat in his coach.
Key events during the life of Henry IV:
| Born in France | |
| Married Margaret of Valois | |
| Became king to all but Catholic League, who elected their own king | |
| Converted to Catholicism | |
| Marriage to Margaret was annuled | |
| Signed a peace treaty with the ottoman Empire | |
| Assassinated by Catholic radical | |
| Satue was built in his honor at Pont Neuf |
| Book Links |
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Other Resources
| Retribution Following the Crime in | The Story of Liberty by Charles C. Coffin |
| House of Valois (cont 4) in | France: Peeps at History by John Finnemore |
| Forced Wedding in | The Story of Old France by H. A. Guerber |
| Winning a Crown in | The Story of Old France by H. A. Guerber |
| Henry of Navarre in | Famous Men of Modern Times by John H. Haaren |
| Prince of Conde Killed in | The Story of France by Mary Macgregor |
| Henry of Navarre Escapes from Paris in | The Story of France by Mary Macgregor |
| King Henry of Navarre in | Historical Tales: French by Charles Morris |
| Murder of a King in | Historical Tales: French by Charles Morris |
Image Links | ||
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 Henry IV at the Battle of Ivry in The Story of Old France |
 Entry of Henry IV into Paris in The Story of Old France |
 Henry IV and his children in The Story of Old France |
 Statue of Henry IV in Paris in The Story of Old France |
Henry VI at Ivry in Famous Men of Modern Times |
 Murder of Henry IV in Famous Men of Modern Times |
Henry IV. Of France in Back Matter |
Henry IV of France at Home in Back Matter |
 Equestrian Status of Henry IV in Historical Tales: French |
| Led England through tumultuous age of reformation and discovery. Reigned 45 years. | |
| Henry of Guise | Leader of the Catholic cause in France during the Wars of Religion. Opposed Henry of Navarre for the throne until he became Catholic. |
| Queen of France who is generally held responsible for the St. Bartholomew's Day Massacre. |