Francis II, Duke of Lorraine
Encyclopedia
Francis II was the son of Charles III, Duke of Lorraine
and Claude of Valois
. He was Duke of Lorraine briefly in 1624, quickly abdicating
in favour of his son.
and his wife Princess Claude of France
he was styled the Count of Vaudémont during his father's reign (1545–1608) as well as during that of his older brother Henri
(1608–1624). His father appointed him as his deputy (Lieutenant General) of Lorraine, while in 1594 he was out of the country.
That same year he was Lieutenant General of the French king in Toul
and Verdun
. From September to October 1606 he was in his father's diplomatic mission in England. In 1621 he fell out with his brother Henri II
, who had become Duke in 1608, and went to Germany for the emperor to fight the Protestants.
The reason for the rift was Henry's intention to have Francis' son Charles marry Henri II's daughter Nicolette of Lorraine
and to leave Lorraine to her, even though the will of Duke René II had provided for a strictly male succession. Henri and his wife Margerita Gonzaga
had only had daughters and females could not inherit the Duchy of Lorraine and its various other territories. After negotiations, the issue was then resolved and the marriage took place but the couple did not have any children and the duchy was to revert to Francis' other son, the future Nicholas II, Duke of Lorraine
.
After Francis' brother died on 31 July 1624, the situation became complicated; Henri's final rules specified that Charles could only be the Duke of Lorraine as Nicolette's husband and was styled as the Prince consort of Lorraine.
In November 1625, however, it was Francis himself who became the ruler of Lorraine. Having claimed the duchy for himself, he got it on 21 November 1625 from the duchy's States General.
After he had paid the duchy's debt out of its treasury five days later, he abdicated in favor of his son, whom his wife had by then pushed aside and who then, as sole Duke, ruled in his own right.
In his will, Francis stated that he "never had ambitions to wear a crown in this world". After his abdication, Francis II took on the management of the county of Vaudémont. He died less than a year later.
and had the following issue:
Charles III, Duke of Lorraine
Charles III , known as the Great, was Duke of Lorraine from 1545 until his death.-History:He was the eldest surviving son of Francis I, Duke of Lorraine, and Christina of Denmark...
and Claude of Valois
Claude of Valois
Claude of Valois was born at Fontainebleau on 12 November 1547 and died in Nancy on 21 February 1575. She was the second daughter of King Henry II of France and Catherine de' Medici.-Biography:...
. He was Duke of Lorraine briefly in 1624, quickly abdicating
Abdication
Abdication occurs when a monarch, such as a king or emperor, renounces his office.-Terminology:The word abdication comes derives from the Latin abdicatio. meaning to disown or renounce...
in favour of his son.
Biography
The youngest son of Charles III, Duke of LorraineCharles III, Duke of Lorraine
Charles III , known as the Great, was Duke of Lorraine from 1545 until his death.-History:He was the eldest surviving son of Francis I, Duke of Lorraine, and Christina of Denmark...
and his wife Princess Claude of France
Claude of Valois
Claude of Valois was born at Fontainebleau on 12 November 1547 and died in Nancy on 21 February 1575. She was the second daughter of King Henry II of France and Catherine de' Medici.-Biography:...
he was styled the Count of Vaudémont during his father's reign (1545–1608) as well as during that of his older brother Henri
Henry II, Duke of Lorraine
Henry II was Duke of Lorraine from 1608 until his death. His two daughters were Duchesses of Lorraine by marriage. He was also the brother-in-law of King Henry IV of France.-History and Family:...
(1608–1624). His father appointed him as his deputy (Lieutenant General) of Lorraine, while in 1594 he was out of the country.
That same year he was Lieutenant General of the French king in Toul
Toul
Toul is a commune in the Meurthe-et-Moselle department in north-eastern France.It is a sub-prefecture of the department.-Geography:Toul is located between Commercy and Nancy, and situated between the Moselle River and the Canal de la Marne au Rhin....
and Verdun
Verdun
Verdun is a city in the Meuse department in Lorraine in north-eastern France. It is a sub-prefecture of the department.Verdun is the biggest city in Meuse, although the capital of the department is the slightly smaller city of Bar-le-Duc.- History :...
. From September to October 1606 he was in his father's diplomatic mission in England. In 1621 he fell out with his brother Henri II
Henry II, Duke of Lorraine
Henry II was Duke of Lorraine from 1608 until his death. His two daughters were Duchesses of Lorraine by marriage. He was also the brother-in-law of King Henry IV of France.-History and Family:...
, who had become Duke in 1608, and went to Germany for the emperor to fight the Protestants.
The reason for the rift was Henry's intention to have Francis' son Charles marry Henri II's daughter Nicolette of Lorraine
Nicolette of Lorraine
Nicole de Lorraine was Duchess of Lorraine and Bar from 1 August 1624 to 21 November 1625, and Duchess consort in 1625–1634. She was born in Nancy, the daughter of Henry II, Duke of Lorraine and Bar, and Margerita Gonzaga...
and to leave Lorraine to her, even though the will of Duke René II had provided for a strictly male succession. Henri and his wife Margerita Gonzaga
Margerita Gonzaga
Margherita Gonzaga was the eldest daughter of Vincenzo I Gonzaga and Eleonora de' Medici; she was also a sister of Francesco IV Gonzaga, Ferdinando I Gonzaga, Vincenzo II Gonzaga and Eleonora Gonzaga...
had only had daughters and females could not inherit the Duchy of Lorraine and its various other territories. After negotiations, the issue was then resolved and the marriage took place but the couple did not have any children and the duchy was to revert to Francis' other son, the future Nicholas II, Duke of Lorraine
Nicholas II, Duke of Lorraine
Nicholas Francis , also known as Nicholas II, was briefly Duke of Lorraine and Duke of Bar for a few months in 1634, spanning the time between the abdication of his older brother and his own resignation...
.
After Francis' brother died on 31 July 1624, the situation became complicated; Henri's final rules specified that Charles could only be the Duke of Lorraine as Nicolette's husband and was styled as the Prince consort of Lorraine.
In November 1625, however, it was Francis himself who became the ruler of Lorraine. Having claimed the duchy for himself, he got it on 21 November 1625 from the duchy's States General.
After he had paid the duchy's debt out of its treasury five days later, he abdicated in favor of his son, whom his wife had by then pushed aside and who then, as sole Duke, ruled in his own right.
In his will, Francis stated that he "never had ambitions to wear a crown in this world". After his abdication, Francis II took on the management of the county of Vaudémont. He died less than a year later.
Family
He married Christina of SalmHouse of Salm
The House of Salm was a noble family originating in the Belgian Ardennes and ruling Salm. It is above all known for the experiences of the branch which came to be located in the Vosges Mountains and over time came to rule over a principality whose capital was Badonviller then Senones.Its notable...
and had the following issue:
- Henri de Lorraine, Marquis of Hattonchâtel (1602–1611) died young;
- Charles de Lorraine, Duke of LorraineCharles IV, Duke of LorraineCharles IV was Duke of Lorraine from 1624 to 1634, when he abdicated under French pressure in favor of his younger brother, and again from 1661 until 1675.- Biography :...
(1604–1675) married Nicolette de LorraineNicolette of LorraineNicole de Lorraine was Duchess of Lorraine and Bar from 1 August 1624 to 21 November 1625, and Duchess consort in 1625–1634. She was born in Nancy, the daughter of Henry II, Duke of Lorraine and Bar, and Margerita Gonzaga...
, no issue; married Béatrice de Cusance and had issue; - Henriette de Lorraine (1605–1660), married Louis de Lorraine, Prince of LexinLixheimLixheim is a commune in the Moselle department in Lorraine in north-eastern France....
, son of Louis II, Cardinal of GuiseLouis II, Cardinal of GuiseLouis II, Cardinal of Guise was the third son of Francis, Duke of Guise and Anna d'Este. His maternal grandparents were Ercole d'Este II, Duke of Ferrara and Renée of France....
, no issue; - Nicolas de Lorraine, Duke of LorraineNicholas II, Duke of LorraineNicholas Francis , also known as Nicholas II, was briefly Duke of Lorraine and Duke of Bar for a few months in 1634, spanning the time between the abdication of his older brother and his own resignation...
(1609–1670) married Claude de Lorraine and had issue; - Marguerite de LorraineMarguerite of LorraineMarguerite of Lorraine was a duchess of Orléans and Alençon. She was born in Nancy, Lorraine to Francis II, Duke of Lorraine, and Countess Christina of Salm. On 31 January 1632, she married Gaston, Duke of Orléans, son of Henry IV of France and Marie de' Medici...
(1615–1672), married Gaston de France, Duke of OrléansGaston, Duke of OrléansGaston of France, , also known as Gaston d'Orléans, was the third son of King Henry IV of France and his wife Marie de Medici. As a son of the king, he was born a Fils de France. He later acquired the title Duke of Orléans, by which he was generally known during his adulthood...
and had issue; - Christine de Lorraine (1621–1622) died in infancy.
Ancestry
Titles and styles
- 27 February 1572 – 25 November 1625 His Highness the Count of Vaudémont
- 25 November 1625 – 1 December 1625 His Highness the Duke of Lorraine
- 1 December 1625 – 14 October 1632 His Highness the Count of Vaudémont