Cursed Facts About Charles IX, The Boy King Of France
It was a twist of fate that made Charles IX the child king of France, but it was his own horrible decision that caused it all to come tumbling down around him.
1. He Was Too Young To Be King
Becoming a king at the age of 11 would be too much for most young boys. Well, try doing it when there’s a raging battle between two religions in your country.
All around young King Charles IX were Protestants who wanted to end his life, and self serving Catholics with some of the worst advice ever.
When Charles finally did make a decision, it led to country-wide carnage that would haunt him for the rest of his short life.
2. He Was Born Into Privilege
Charles Maximilien was born on June 27, 1550 into a very privileged life. His first home was a palace called Chateau de Saint-Germain-en-Laye. This impressive building is now France’s National Museum of Archeology. Back then it was home to Charles, his nine brothers and sisters, and his parents, who happened to be King and Queen of France.
But tragedy was not far behind his birth.
3. He Faced An Early Tragedy
Charles’ older brother Louis was just a year and a half older than him. It’s not clear exactly when or why it happened, but around the same time Charles was born, Louis suddenly passed.
Charles was an infant and couldn’t exactly mourn the loss of his brother, but it did affect him.
You see, with Louis out of the picture, Charles became the Duke of Orleans. Sadly, tragedy was not through with this family yet.
4. There Was An Accident
In 1559, Charles’ Father, King Henry II, participated in a royal jousting tournament to celebrate making peace with his enemy. Then things went horribly wrong. During the joust, his competitor’s lance burst through the King’s visor and went right into his eye. While the doctors sat by and watched—they had no idea what to do—King Henry’s infection worsened and, ten days after the incident, he passed.
France was suddenly without a king, and the people nervously looked to Charles’ family for a replacement.
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