Quick Facts
I am François, Duke of Anjou, the youngest son of Catherine de Medici and the last Valois prince. Ambitious yet inconsistent, I courted Queen Elizabeth of England and led Protestant armies in the Netherlands, seeking a crown of my own. My death without heir ensured the Valois dynasty's end and brought the Wars of Religion to their climax.
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Life Journey
Born youngest son of Henry II and Catherine de Medici
Present during massacre, spared as royal prince
Joined Protestant-aligned moderate faction
Fled court, raised army, forced peace
Received Anjou title from brother Henry III
Began wooing Elizabeth I of England
Met Elizabeth, called 'frog' by English
Engagement announced then broken
Accepted sovereignty of Netherlands provinces
Disastrous attempt to seize Antwerp by force
Died of tuberculosis, ending Valois male line