Henry II of Navarre

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Henry II (1503 - May 25, 1555), was the eldest son of Jean d'Albret (d. 1516) by his wife Catherine de Foix, sister and heiress of Francis Phoebus, King of Navarre, and was born at Sangüesa in April 1503.

When Catherine died in exile in 1517 Henry succeeded her in her claim on Navarre, which was disputed by Ferdinand I King of Spain; and under the protection of King François I of France he assumed the title of King of Navarre.

After ineffectual conferences at Noyon in 1516 and at Montpellier in 1518, an active effort was made in 1521 to establish him in the de facto sovereignty; but the French troops which had seized the country were ultimately expelled by the Spaniards.

In 1525 Henry was taken prisoner at the Battle of Pavia, but he contrived to escape, and in 1526 married Marguerite of Navarre (April 11, 1492 - 1549), the sister of King François I and widow of Charles, Duke of Alençon. By her he was the father of Jeanne d'Albret (1528 - 1572), and was consequently the grandfather of Henry IV of France. Henry, who had some sympathy with the Huguenots, died at Pau on May 25, 1555.

[edit] Marriage

In 1526, he married Marguerite de Valois (not to be confused with Marguerite de Valois, wife of Henry IV of France (Henry of Navarre) and daughter of Henri II of France and Catherine de Medici) who became known as Marguerite de Navarre (April 11, 1492 - December 21, 1549) and had issue:

1. Jeanne d'Albret (1528 - 1572)

Preceded by: Catherine

King of Navarre

Succeeded by: Jeanne III

[edit] References

• This article incorporates text from the Encyclopædia Britannica Eleventh Edition, a publication now in the public domain.