Henry of Navarre; Henry IV of France

In writing Henry of Navarre; Henry IV of France the author, Lord Russell of Liverpool endeavored not only to chronicle Henry’s life but to also provide a glimpse into his character. Lord Russell would speculate as to Henry’s motives behind his actions, often times backing up these speculations with Henry’s own words either from letters he himself had written or from the memoirs of others close to the king. Due to this intimate look into the life and at times thoughts of the king the reader gains empathy for the monarch much as he people must have had.

At the time that Henry of Navarre ascended the throne of France the country was ripe for a change. The last three kings of the Valois Dynasty, Francis II, Charles IX, and Henry III “were the feeblest that ever sat on the throne of France” (14). Their mother, Catherine de Medici who was referred to as “La Serpente” in essence ruled the country. The country was nearing bankruptcy due to her spending and the Wars of Religion, which had wrought the country since the time of Francis I (1515-1547).

Henry’s first order of business upon becoming king was to reunite the nation and put an end to the Wars of Religion. To do this he first had to gain access to Paris, which was then con

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Later it becomes de Guise and the catholic League against Henry III who is then supported by Henry of Navarre, as hi is the rightful King of France. (135)” which would remain in effect until it was revoked in 1685 by Louis XIV.

Henry IV has been called “Henry the Great (195)” and rightfully so, despite the bad reputation he has gotten for his private life as a ladies man.

The book was illustrated with several pictures of important people, a genealogy chart, and a map of France, although the map could have had better detail. He relied heavily on the advice of the Duc de Sully, whom he had made the Superintendant des Finances, although he didn’t always follow it. It began in 1586 when the League created three armies to deal with the Protestants. He presented the faults as well as the strengths of all people involved including the king himself. There was great mourning throughout the whole of France upon his assassination and his greatness was spoken of for generations. Henry viewed his people as his children and they saw him as a father. Henry signed the Edict of Nantes in 1598 “the charter of the rights and privileges of the French Protestants. In 1593 Henry abjures the protestant faith and in 1594 reenters Paris supposedly having said, “Paris is worth a Mass. Eventually Henry III has De Guise killed, is then assassinated himself and Henry of Navarre becomes Henry IV of France. Regardless of the fact that he had many mistresses he was a great king.

Next Henry determined to return the nation from the edge of bankruptcy; although the large allowances he gave to his many mistresses did nothing to help the situation.

Approximate Word count = 809
Approximate Pages = 3 (250 words per page double spaced)

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