Henry IV of France

Henry IV of France was King of France and Navarre at the end of the 1500s and the start of the 1600s. He was born in 1553 in the town of Pau, in the Kingdom of Navarre. Before becoming king of France, he was known as Henry of Navarre. He came to the French throne in 1589, during a time of conflict known as the French Wars of Religion. These wars were long struggles between Catholics and Protestants in France.

Henry was raised as a Protestant, which is a Christian who does not belong to the Catholic Church. Many people in France were Catholic, and this caused tension. After becoming king, Henry faced strong opposition because of his religion. In 1593, he changed his religion and became Catholic. This change helped him gain wider support. Soon after, he was crowned king in the city of Chartres.

One of Henry IV’s most important acts was issuing the Edict of Nantes in 1598. An edict is an official order made by a ruler. This edict allowed Protestants, also called Huguenots in France, to practice their religion in certain places. It also gave them some legal rights. The Edict of Nantes helped reduce religious violence and brought a period of relative peace to the country.

Henry IV worked to rebuild France after years of war. He supported farming, trade, and road building. Roads helped goods move between towns. He also worked with his chief minister, Maximilien de Béthune, Duke of Sully. A minister is a person who helps manage the government. Together, they improved the country’s finances, which means how the government collected and spent money.

Henry IV was known for strengthening royal authority. Authority means the power to rule and make decisions. He worked to reduce the power of armed groups that challenged the king. At the same time, he tried to rule over different regions of France fairly. He often traveled across the country to see conditions for himself and to meet local leaders.

Henry IV married Marie de’ Medici, an Italian noblewoman. They had several children, including Louis XIII, who later became king. Henry IV died in 1610 after being attacked in Paris. His death ended his reign suddenly. His son Louis XIII was still young, so a regent ruled for him. Henry IV is remembered as a king who ruled during a difficult period and worked to restore order in France.