General Notes

Charles IX (of France) (1550-74), king of France (1560-74), 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.