Charles IX (June 27, 1550 – May 30, 1574) was born Charles-Maximilien, the son of King Henri II of France and Catherine de Medici. He was born in the royal chateau at Saint-Germain-en-Laye.
After the death of his elder brother Francis II, in 1560, he inherited the throne and was crowned King of France in 1561 in the cathedral at Reims. The politics of that era was greatly influnced by the powerful and ambitious mother of Charles IX, Catherine de Medici, and the powerful Guise's.
During Charles IX reign, a new product designed to cure ulcers, heal wounds and other such benefits was introduced. Tobacco soon gained wide acceptance.
Charles IX oversaw the massacre of thousands of Huguenots (Protestants) from in and around Paris in what became known as the St. Bartholomew's Day Massacre.
On November 26, 1570 he married Elisabeth of Austria. They had one daughter, Marie-Elisabeth (October 27, 1572 – April 9, 1578).
Charles IX died at Vincennes, Val-de-Marne in 1570 and was succeeded by his brother Henri III.
Charles IX had an illegitimate son from his mistriss Marie Touchet : the Duc d'Angoulême.
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