Henry III of France
The last king of the House of Valois. His reign was dominated by the Wars of Religion and the struggle between the Catholic League, the Huguenots and royal authority itself.
This complete profile is available in English. Bibliographic titles retain their original language. Links marked ES open the Spanish edition.
Key details
Birth: 19 September 1551 Documented
Death: 2 August 1589 Documented
Role: King
Dynasty: Valois-Angoulême · ES
Territories: Poland (ES) · Lithuania (ES) · France (ES)
Recorded relationships
Their titles over time
Follow the changing territories and offices of Henry III of France. Each title retains its own status.
Governments in 1574
- Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth2 titles and offices
View titles and jurisdictions
- Poland · ESKing · Effective rule1573–1575
- Lithuania · ESGrand duke · Effective rule1573–1575
The Union of Lublin of 1569 created a commonwealth with a shared monarch and parliament. The Crown and Grand Duchy retained their titles and institutions; Courland and Ducal Prussia thereby did not become provinces of the Crown. Source for this grouping
- FranceKing
View titles and jurisdictions
- France · ESKing · Effective rule1574–1589
Annual dates: overlap within one year does not prove that two offices were held on the same day. Regencies and co-rulerships retain their labels.
Sources for this profile
- Deutsche Nationalbibliothek · GND authority record · Heinrich III., Frankreich, König
- Encyclopaedia Britannica
Biographical and contextual references in their original language. Sources and methodology.
Evidence for this profile
8 recorded claims · 3 without a claim-specific source. Context references do not by themselves verify every fact.
Dates (2/2 with a precise source)
- BirthDocumented
19 September 1551
The authority record gives the birth as 1551-09-19. - DeathDocumented
2 August 1589
The authority record gives the death as 1589-08-02.
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
Louise of Lorraine-Vaudémont
The authority record identifies Louise of Lorraine-Vaudémont (GND 11938793X) as spouse.
Governments (0/3 with a precise source)
- GovernmentPending review
King · Poland · 1573–1575
A precise source has not yet been added. - GovernmentPending review
Grand duke · Lithuania · 1573–1575
A precise source has not yet been added. - GovernmentPending review
King · France · 1574–1589
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.
Follow this person through history
More paths from Henry III of France
Family
Henry II of FranceKing1519 – 1559
Catherine de’ MediciQueen consort and Regent of France1519 – 1589Louise of Lorraine-Vaudémont · ESConsort1553 – 1601
