Charles IX of France

Reign: 1560 – 1574
Life: 1550–1574

Charles's reign saw the culmination of decades of tension between Protestants and Catholics. Civil and religious war broke out between the two parties after the massacre of Vassy in 1562. Bartholomew's Day massacre, was a significant blow to the Huguenot movement, and religious civil warfare soon began anew. Charles sought to take advantage of the disarray of the Huguenots by ordering the siege of La Rochelle, but was unable to take the Protestant stronghold.

During Charles IX of France's reign, Elizabeth I of England ruled England, Akbar ruled Mughal Empire, and Selim II ruled Ottoman Empire.

Want to learn more? Further reading

The Cambridge Illustrated History of France by Colin Jones

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The World During Their Reign

The most notable rulers who held power elsewhere at the same time, from European courts to Ottoman, Mughal, and Chinese thrones.

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