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The History of the Ducs de Guise: 1496-1588 Subsequently Taken to the Year 1671

Jerry Ward

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Published in The Brood Of False Lorraine: The History Of The Ducs De Guise (1496 1588) Subsequently Taken To The Year 1671 Complete In 1 Volume

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The House of Guise was a powerful and influential noble family in France during the 16th and 17th centuries. The family's rise to prominence began with Claude de Lorraine, who was created Duke of Guise by King Louis XI in 1496.

The Brood of False Lorraine: The history of the Ducs de Guise (1496-1588),subsequently taken to the year 1671, complete in 1 volume

by Thorsten Hennig-Thurau

4.6 out of 5

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Claude's son, François de Lorraine, became one of the most important figures in French history, serving as a leading general in the French Wars of Religion. The family's power continued to grow under François's son, Henri de Lorraine, who became Duke of Guise in 1563.

Henri was a staunch Catholic and a staunch opponent of the Huguenots, the French Protestants. He played a leading role in the St. Bartholomew's Day Massacre in 1572, in which thousands of Huguenots were killed. Henri was assassinated in 1588, and the family's power began to decline.

The Origins of the House of Guise

The House of Guise originated in the Duchy of Lorraine, a small state in northeastern France. The family's founder was René II, Duke of Lorraine, who married Isabella of Naples in 1437. Isabella was the granddaughter of René I, King of Naples, and her marriage to René II brought the House of Lorraine into close contact with the royal family of France.

René II's son, Antoine de Lorraine, became Duke of Lorraine in 1453. Antoine was a close ally of King Louis XI of France, and he fought alongside the French king in the Hundred Years' War. Antoine's son, René II, succeeded him as Duke of Lorraine in 1473. René II was also a close ally of the French king, and he fought alongside the French in the Italian Wars.

Claude de Lorraine, the First Duke of Guise

Claude de Lorraine was the younger brother of René II, Duke of Lorraine. He was born in 1496, and he was created Duke of Guise by King Louis XI in the same year. Claude was a talented military commander, and he quickly rose through the ranks of the French army.

In 1525, Claude led the French army to victory at the Battle of Pavia. This victory made Claude a national hero, and he was rewarded with the governorship of Champagne and Brie.

Claude de Lorraine died in 1550, and he was succeeded as Duke of Guise by his son, François de Lorraine.

François de Lorraine, the Second Duke of Guise

François de Lorraine was born in 1519, and he succeeded his father as Duke of Guise in 1550. François was a brilliant military commander, and he quickly became one of the most important figures in French history.

François played a leading role in the French Wars of Religion. He was a staunch Catholic, and he opposed the Huguenots, the French Protestants. François led the Catholic army to victory at the Battle of Dreux in 1562, and he played a leading role in the St. Bartholomew's Day Massacre in 1572.

François de Lorraine was assassinated in 1563, and he was succeeded as Duke of Guise by his son, Henri de Lorraine.

Henri de Lorraine, the Third Duke of Guise

Henri de Lorraine was born in 1550, and he succeeded his father as Duke of Guise in 1563. Henri was a staunch Catholic, and he continued his father's opposition to the Huguenots.

Henri played a leading role in the St. Bartholomew's Day Massacre in 1572. He was one of the chief architects of the massacre, and he personally led the attack on the Huguenots in Paris.

Henri de Lorraine was assassinated in 1588, and the family's power began to decline.

The Decline of the House of Guise

The assassination of Henri de Lorraine marked the beginning of the decline of the House of Guise. The family's power had been based on its military prowess, and with Henri's death, the family lost its most important military commander.

The Guise family continued to play a role in French politics for several decades after Henri's death. However, the family's power was never as great as it had been under Claude, François, and Henri.

The House of Guise eventually died out in 1671. The last male member of the family was Charles de Lorraine, Duke of Guise, who died without issue in 1671.

The Legacy of the House of Guise

The House of Guise was one of the most powerful and influential noble families in French history. The family played a major role in the French Wars of Religion, and its members were responsible for some of the most important events in French history.

The House of Guise's legacy is a mixed one. The family's military prowess helped to protect France from its enemies, but its religious fanaticism led to the deaths of thousands of innocent people.

The House of Guise is a reminder of the complex and often contradictory nature of French history. The family's story is a tale of ambition, power, and violence, but it is also a story of courage, loyalty, and faith.

The Brood of False Lorraine: The history of the Ducs de Guise (1496-1588),subsequently taken to the year 1671, complete in 1 volume

by Thorsten Hennig-Thurau

4.6 out of 5