Henry IV, born on 13 December 1553 in Pau, was the son of Jeanne III of Navarre and Antoine de Bourbon, Duke of Vendôme. He was baptized as a Catholic but raised as a Huguenot. He became King of Navarre in 1572 after his mother's death and married Margaret of Valois in a politically motivated union. The marriage coincided with the St. Bartholomew's Day massacre, where many Protestants were killed, and Henry narrowly escaped death.Henry became a prominent figure in the French Wars of Religion, leading Protestant forces against the royal army. He became heir presumptive to the French throne in 1584 after the death of Francis, Duke of Anjou. The War of the Three Henrys ensued, involving Henry III of France, Henry of Navarre, and Henry I of Lorraine, Duke of Guise. Following the assassination of Henry III in 1589, Henry of Navarre claimed the French throne, but faced opposition from the Catholic League and was excommunicated by Pope Sixtus V.To secure his position, Henry converted to Catholicism in 1593, reportedly stating that 'Paris is well worth a Mass.' He was crowned King of France at Chartres on 27 February 1594. His reign saw the promulgation of the Edict of Nantes in 1598, which granted religious freedoms to Huguenots and helped end the civil wars.Henry IV focused on domestic policies that improved state finances, agriculture, and infrastructure. He promoted trade and industry, initiated the first successful French colonization of the Americas, and worked to restore Paris as a major city. His administration faced challenges, including financial crises and resistance from noble factions.In foreign affairs, Henry IV sought to counter the influence of Spain and the Habsburgs. He signed the Peace of Vervins in 1598, ending hostilities with Spain, and engaged in diplomatic efforts to support Protestant states in the Holy Roman Empire. He also maintained relations with the Ottoman Empire and sought to expand French trade in East Asia.Henry IV was assassinated on 14 May 1610 by François Ravaillac, a Catholic zealot. His death led to the regency of his widow, Marie de' Medici, for their son, Louis XIII. Henry IV's legacy includes his efforts to promote religious tolerance and his contributions to the stability and prominence of France in Europe.

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Henry IV of France