Henry II de Valois King of FRANCE

                   Died from an ear infection.
The marriage of Francis II, the Dauphin of France to the young Mary
Stuart took place on Sunday, April 24, 1558 at the Cathedral of Notre
Damein Paris. It was said to be a magnificent event with a parade of
musicians,richly clothed royalty, bishops, courtiers and heralds.
Mary was a childhood friend and constant companion of Francis from the
time she was sent to the French court as a six year old. They grew up
happily together in an idyllic, secure setting surrounded by servantsand
others whose only purpose was the well-being of their royal charges.
Francis was not interested in studies, in fact,it is said he did not
have an aptitude for learning. He was more enthusiastic about hawkingand
horse riding. Mary, however, enjoyed her studies, in particular sheloved
to write poetry, and loved music. When she first came to theFrenchcourt
she could only speak in the Scots, but within a few months shewas able
to converse in French with some of the children. Both Mary and Francis
enjoyed taking part in sporting events, such as riding, hawking and
archery . And, in spite of Francis' sickly disposition, they spentmany
happy hours enjoying the hunts and the outdoors along with the other
children of the French court.
When his father Henry II died in a jousting accident, Francis IIwas
crowned King. His mother, Catherine de Medici, became regent since
Francis was only 15 years old. It is said that she was regent in name
only and the powerful Guises, Mary's uncles, were the real powers that
governed France..
Francis, a sickly child from birth, suffered from chronic respiratory
problems all of his life. A chronic inflammation of the middle ear
brought on by constant ear infections made him ill one day. A huge
swelling appeared behindhis ear caused by the spreading of the
inflammation/infection and his condition worsened. He died when an
abscess formed in his brain as a result of the inflammation. FrancisII,
King of France died at the age of almost 17.
                  

                   CHARLES IX (born 1550, ruled 1560-74) came to the throne in the midstof
the Reformation and the fierce civil wars between the Roman Catholicsand
the Huguenots (Protestants). The crimes that mar the history of hisreign
were largely the work of his ambitious mother, Catherine, of thefamous
Medici family (see Medici ).
Charles was only 10 years old when he became king, and Catherineclaimed
the right to rule for him. Even when he reached manhoodhe was weak and
hesitant, and she continued to dominate him. In her desire tobringabout
the death of Gaspard de Coligny, the Huguenot leader, she goadedherson
into giving orders that led to the Massacre of St. Bartholomew's Dayin
1572, when thousands of Huguenots, including Coligny, were killed (see
Coligny ). This crime disturbed Charles, and he became melancholy. He
died two years later of a fever.
                  

                   King of France (1574--89), born in Fontainebleau, the third sonofHenry
II. In 1569 he gained victories over the Huguenots, and took an active
share in the massacre of St Bartholomew (1572). In 1573 he was electedto
the crown of Poland, but two years later succeeded his brother,Charles
IX, onthe French throne. His reign was a period of almost incessant
civil war between Huguenots and Catholics. In 1588 he engineered the
assassination of the Duke of Guise, enraging the Catholic League. He
joined forces with the Huguenot Henry of Navarre, and while marchingon
Paris was assassinated by a fanatical priest. The last of the Valois
line, he named Henry of Navarre as his successor.