2020-12-05 Sat

Charles IX was King of France from 1560 until his death in 1574 from tuberculosis. He ascended the throne of France upon the death of his brother Francis II in 1560. His reign is remembered for authorizing the massacre of Protestants on St. Bartholomew’s Day, August 23–24, 1572, on the advice of his mother, Catherine de Medicis.

Proclaimed of age on August 17, 1563, after his 13th birthday (according to the custom of the kingdom), he remained under his mother’s domination, being incapable of choosing and following a policy of his own. All his decisions were influenced by his mother; a fervent Roman Catholic who initially sought peace between Catholics and Protestants but after the St. Bartholomew's Day Massacre supported the persecution of Huguenots. His health was poor and he was mentally unstable.

Charles died of tuberculosis in 1574, without legitimate male issue, and was succeeded by his brother Henry III. His coin depicted his bust facing left on its obverse face.

Image Source: Wikipedia.org