Religious conflict ravaged France throughout the Gregorian era, and one such violent episode claimed the life of King Henry III. Having ascended to power in 1574, his reign came to a brutal end on August 1, 1589, when an assassin cut it tragically short.
Fun Facts
- Beyond ruling France, King Henry III held the titles of King of Poland and Grand Duke of Lithuania. He occupied that particular throne from 30 May 1574 to 2 May 1575.
- His coronation ceremony took place at Reims Cathedral on 13 February 1575.
- The assassin responsible for King Henry III's death was Jacques Clement, a Dominican lay brother who hailed from Burgundy.
- To get close to the king, Jacques Clement requested a private audience, claiming he carried a confidential message. Once alone with King Henry III, he pulled a concealed dagger from beneath his cloak and stabbed the monarch.
- Clement would not survive his own act of violence — the king's subjects killed him on the spot. His punishment didn't end there, either: his body was hacked to pieces and burned at the stake.
- Though King Henry III clung to life throughout the night, his struggle proved futile, and he succumbed to his wounds the following day.
- With no legitimate heir to carry on his legacy, the throne passed upon King Henry III's death to King Henry IV.