Charles IX (of France)

Charles IX (of France) (1550-1574), king of France (1560-1574), born in Saint-Germain-en-Laye. The son of Henry II and Catherine de Médicis, he succeeded his older brother, Francis II. During his minority and after 1563, when he assumed active rule, Charles remained under the domination of his mother. Intrigues and religious wars between Roman Catholics and Huguenots (Protestants) marked the entire course of his reign. In 1572 he was persuaded by Catherine to approve the Saint Bartholomew's Day Massacre, in which thousands of Huguenots were killed. Charles was succeeded by his brother Henry III.