Charles IX (June 27, 1550 – May 30, 1574) was born Charles-Maximilien, the son of King Henri II of France and Catherine de Medici. He was born in the royal chateau at Saint-Germain-en-Laye.

After the death of his elder brother, Francis II, in 1560, he inherited the throne and was crowned King of France in 1560 in the cathedral at Reims. The politics of that era was greatly influenced by the power of the ambitious Catherine de Medici and the Guises.

During the reign of Charles IX a new product was introduced, designed to cure ulcers and heal wounds along with other such benefits. Tobacco soon gained wide acceptance.

He was made a knight of the order of the Garter on Sunday May 14 1564 at St George's, Windsor, along with Francis Russell, 2nd Earl of Bedford and Sir Henry Sidney. On November 26, 1570 he married Elisabeth of Austria. They had one daughter, Marie-Elisabeth (October 27, 1572 – April 9, 1578).

In 1572, Charles IX oversaw the massacre of thousands of Huguenots (Protestants) from in and around Paris in what became known as the St. Bartholomew's Day Massacre.

Charles IX died at Vincennes, Val-de-Marne in 1574 and was succeeded by his brother, Henri III.

Charles IX had an illegitimate son from his mistress, Marie Touchet: the Duc d'Angoulême.

See also

• French Wars of Religion.

Kings of France | House of Valois | Natives of Ile-de-France | Knights of the Garter | Knights of the Golden Fleece | Monarchs of Canada | 1550 births | 1574 deaths

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