The Tree of Europe · Person

Henry II of France

King of France who continued the rivalry with the Habsburgs and pursued French expansion in Italy. His accidental death in a tournament opened a period of dynastic and religious instability.

1519 – 1559KingValois-Angoulême · ES

Explore this family · Spanish Atlas Back to people

Contemporary portraitHenry II of FranceFrançois Clouet · Sixteenth centuryWikimedia CommonsPublic domain · PDM 1.0 · Source

This complete profile is available in English. Bibliographic titles retain their original language. Links marked ES open the Spanish edition.

Historical profile

Key details

Birth: 31 March 1519 Documented

Death: 10 July 1559 Documented

Role: King

Dynasty: Valois-Angoulême · ES

Territories: France (ES)

Recorded governments and reigns

King · France · Reign Pending review1547–1559Effective rule

Family network

Recorded relationships

Parents

Francis I of FranceDocumentedClaude of France · ESPending review

Partners

Catherine de’ MediciDocumented

Children

Charles IX of FranceFrancis II of FranceElisabeth of Valois · ESClaude of Valois · ESHenry III of FranceMargaret of ValoisFrancis of Anjou

Documentation

Sources for this profile

Biographical and contextual references in their original language. Sources and methodology.

Evidence for this profile

6 recorded claims · 2 without a claim-specific source. Context references do not by themselves verify every fact.

Dates (2/2 with a precise source)

BirthDocumented
31 March 1519
The authority record gives the birth as 1519-03-31.
Deutsche Nationalbibliothek · GND · Heinrich II., Frankreich, König · Vital data: birth date
Reviewed on 2026-10-17 by El Árbol de Europa ·
DeathDocumented
10 July 1559
The authority record gives the death as 1559-07-10.
Deutsche Nationalbibliothek · GND · Heinrich II., Frankreich, König · Vital data: death date
Reviewed on 2026-10-17 by El Árbol de Europa ·

Family and relationships (2/3 with a precise source)

FatherDocumented
Francis I of France
The authority record identifies Francis I of France (GND 118534947) as father.
Deutsche Nationalbibliothek · GND · Heinrich II., Frankreich, König · Relationships: father → GND 118534947
Reviewed on 2026-10-17 by El Árbol de Europa ·
MotherPending review
Claude of France
A precise source has not yet been added.
No individual review recorded ·
Marriage or partnershipDocumented
Catherine de’ Medici
The authority record identifies Catherine de’ Medici (GND 118560557) as spouse.
Deutsche Nationalbibliothek · GND · Heinrich II., Frankreich, König · Relationships: spouse → GND 118560557
Reviewed on 2026-10-17 by El Árbol de Europa ·

Governments (0/1 with a precise source)

GovernmentPending review
King · France · 1547–1559
A precise source has not yet been added.
No individual review recorded ·

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.

Follow this person through history

Story · Spanish original

A crown between two creeds

Catherine de’ Medici, the Huguenots and the Catholic League

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