fme_1008122 - HENRY II Médaille, Reproduction du double Henri d’or à la Gallia, n° 145

HENRY II

(03/31/1547-07/10/1559)

Henri II (1519-1559) is the son of François Ier and Claude de France. In 1533, he married the pope's niece, Catherine de Medici (1519-1589), and he succeeded his father in 1547. The English evacuated Boulogne in 1550. Henri II accentuated the fight against the Protestants. In 1552, by the Treaty of Chambord, he acquired the Three Bishoprics which were occupied and defended against the Imperials. He occupied Siena until the year 1555, but Turin was lost the same year. Charles Quint abdicated in 1556, in favor of his son, Philippe II and his brother, Ferdinand; the war against the Imperials resumed in 1557. The French were defeated at Saint-Quentin. Calais is taken back from the English by the Duke of Guise. The Dauphin François marries Marie Stuart, Queen of Scotland. The Treaty of Cateau-Cambrésis put an end to the war between France and Austria. Philip II marries Elizabeth, daughter of Henry II. The king dies on July 10 despite the care of Amboise Paré, following an eye injury received on June 30 during the wedding celebrations of the royal children.