Francis II was the eldest son of Henry II and Catherine de Medici, and the king of France from 1559 to 1560. He was also the husband of Mary, Queen of Scots, and the king consort of Scotland. His reign was short and turbulent, marked by the rise of the Guise family and the outbreak of the French Wars of Religion. But how did he die at the young age of 16? And what were the causes and consequences of his death?
Contents
The Accident that Changed History
Francis II became king of France on July 10, 1559, after his father Henry II died from a fatal wound in a jousting accident. Henry II had been celebrating the Peace of Cateau-Cambrésis, which ended the long conflict between France and Spain, by challenging the young Gabriel de Montgomery, captain of his Scottish Guard, to a friendly duel. However, a splinter from Montgomery’s lance pierced Henry’s eye and entered his brain, causing a slow and painful death. Francis II was only 15 years old when he inherited the throne, and he was not prepared to rule a kingdom in turmoil.
The Guise Influence
Francis II was married to Mary, Queen of Scots, who was his first cousin and the niece of the powerful Guise brothers: Francis, Duke of Guise, and Charles, Cardinal of Lorraine. The Guises were staunch Catholics and ambitious politicians, who saw an opportunity to gain control over the young king and the French court. They became the de facto rulers of France, and they pursued a policy of repression against the Huguenots, the French Protestants who were growing in number and influence. The Guises also tried to strengthen the alliance with Scotland, where Mary was the queen, and to oppose the influence of England, which was ruled by the Protestant Elizabeth I.
The Conspiracy of Amboise
The Guises’ domination provoked the resentment of many nobles, especially the Bourbons, who were the princes of the blood and the next in line to the throne after the Valois. The leader of the Bourbon faction was Louis, Prince of Condé, who was also a Huguenot. Condé and his allies planned a coup d’etat to overthrow the Guises and to free the king from their influence. The plot, known as the Conspiracy of Amboise, involved a group of Huguenot soldiers who intended to storm the royal castle of Amboise and to capture or kill the Guises. However, the conspiracy was discovered and foiled by the Guises, who reacted with brutal force. Hundreds of conspirators were executed, and Condé was arrested and sentenced to death for high treason.
The Illness and Death of Francis II
In the midst of this crisis, Francis II fell ill in November 1560, while he was staying at the Chateau of Blois. He suffered from a severe ear infection, which caused him intense pain and fever. The infection spread to his brain, and he started to have convulsions and delirium. He was moved to the Hotel Groslot in Orleans, where his condition worsened. He died on December 5, 1560, after a final seizure. His death was a shock to the nation, and a mystery to the doctors. Some historians have suggested that he had mastoiditis, meningitis, or otitis, while others have speculated that he was poisoned by the Guises or by his mother Catherine, who wanted to get rid of him and to place her favorite son Charles on the throne.
The Aftermath of Francis II’s Death
Francis II’s death had a profound impact on the history of France and Europe. He was succeeded by his brother Charles IX, who was only 10 years old, and who was placed under the regency of his mother Catherine de Medici. Catherine tried to balance the power between the Guises and the Bourbons, and to appease the religious tensions between the Catholics and the Huguenots. She also called for the meeting of the States General, a representative assembly of the three estates of the realm, to discuss the reforms and the grievances of the kingdom. However, her efforts failed to prevent the outbreak of the civil war, which lasted for 36 years and claimed millions of lives. Francis II’s death also affected the fate of his widow Mary, Queen of Scots, who returned to her native country and faced a series of troubles and tragedies, until she was executed by Elizabeth I in 1587.
Conclusion
Francis II of France was a young and weak king, who died after a short and troubled reign. His death was caused by a mysterious illness, which may have been natural or induced. His death changed the course of history, as it triggered the French Wars of Religion and the downfall of the Valois dynasty. His death also left a mark on the memory and the culture of France, as he was the subject of many legends, poems, and novels, such as Alexandre Dumas’ The Two Dianas and The Valois Romances.
