The Tree of Europe · Person
Charles IX of France
King of France during a particularly violent phase of the Wars of Religion. His name became associated with the St Bartholomew’s Day Massacre of 1572 and the profound crisis of the Valois monarchy.
This complete profile is available in English. Bibliographic titles retain their original language. Links marked ES open the Spanish edition.
Key details
Birth: 1550 Documented
Death: 1574 Documented
Role: King
Dynasty: Valois-Angoulême · ES
Territories: France (ES)
Recorded governments and reigns
King · France · Reign Pending review1560–1574Effective rule
Recorded relationships
Parents
Henry II of FranceDocumentedCatherine de’ MediciDocumented
Partners
Elizabeth of Austria · ESDocumented
Sources for this profile
- Deutsche Nationalbibliothek · GND authority record · Karl IX., Frankreich, König
- Encyclopaedia Britannica
Biographical and contextual references in their original language. Sources and methodology.
Evidence for this profile
6 recorded claims · 1 without a claim-specific source. Context references do not by themselves verify every fact.
Dates (2/2 with a precise source)
- BirthDocumented
1550
The authority record gives the birth as 1550. - DeathDocumented
1574
The authority record gives the death as 1574.
Family and relationships (3/3 with a precise source)
- FatherDocumented
Henry II of France
The authority record identifies Henry II of France (GND 118548166) as father. - MotherDocumented
Catherine de’ Medici
The authority record identifies Catherine de’ Medici (GND 118560557) as mother. - Marriage or partnershipDocumented
Elizabeth of Austria
The authority record identifies Elizabeth of Austria (GND 120453436) as spouse.
Governments (0/1 with a precise source)
- GovernmentPending review
King · France · 1560–1574
A precise source has not yet been added.
Biographical and contextual references (2)
Editorial history
- 2026-10-12 · Claim registry added; existing historical data kept. Specific sourcing remains to be reviewed.
- 2026-10-08 · Claim registry added; existing historical data kept. Specific sourcing remains to be reviewed.
- 2026-10-04 · Claim registry added; existing historical data kept. Specific sourcing remains to be reviewed.
- 2026-10-04 · Claim registry added; existing historical data kept. Specific sourcing remains to be reviewed.
- 2026-10-03 · Claim registry added; existing historical data kept. Specific sourcing remains to be reviewed.
- 2026-09-30 · The duchy is limited to Dijon and Autun; each other fief now enters the map only under its dated ruler. John III of Namur and the Nevers/Rethel branch were added. The previous shape combined later counties and unrelated lands as if all belonged to the duchy from 1363.
- 2026-09-28 · Claim registry added; existing historical data kept. Specific sourcing remains to be reviewed.
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Family
Henry II of FranceKing1519 – 1559
Catherine de’ MediciQueen consort and Regent of France1519 – 1589Elizabeth of Austria · ESConsort1554 – 1592Same dynasty
Claude of Valois · ESConsort1547 – 1575Elisabeth of Valois · ESConsort1546 – 1568Francis of AnjouDuke1554 – 1584
Henry III of FranceKing1551 – 1589Francis II of FranceKing1544 – 1560Margaret of France · ESConsort1523 – 1574In their lifetime
Henry IV of France“the Great”King of France · King of Navarre as Henry III1553 – 1610Henry III of FranceKing1551 – 1589Francis II of FranceKing1544 – 1560
Mary I of ScotlandQueen of Scots · Queen consort of France1542 – 1587Francis of Guise“the Scarred”Duke1519 – 1563Henry I of Guise“the Scarred”Duke / Leader of the Catholic League1550 – 1588