Henry IV

Introduction
Prince of Béarn.
King of Navarre.
Heir presumptive to the throne.
Henry IV.
The achievements of the reign.
Legacy

Quotes References & Edit History Quick Facts & Related Topics

Images

Henry IV, undated copperplate engraving.

Plate 1: Place de Vosges, Paris, built by the French king, Henry IV, 1605-12: group housing with a residential square and an arcaded walking area.

François Gérard: Entry of Henry IV into the City of Paris, 22 March 1594

At a Glance

Henry IV summary

Quizzes

Napoleon Bonaparte. Napoleon in Coronation Robes or Napoleon I Emperor of France, 1804 by Baron Francois Gerard or Baron Francois-Pascal-Simon Gerard, from the Musee National, Chateau de Versailles.

Kings and Emperors (Part III) Quiz

Related Questions

Did Henry IV’s conversion to Catholicism end resistance to his rule?
How did Henry IV become king of France?
How did Henry IV encourage agriculture in France?
How did Henry IV expand French territory through the Treaty of Lyons?
How did Henry IV help bring about the Twelve Years’ Truce in 1609?
How did Henry IV rebuild France’s economy after the Wars of Religion?
How did Henry IV reduce France’s national debt?
How did Henry IV strengthen the French army?
How did Henry IV try to limit Spanish influence in Europe?
How did Henry IV’s Protestant faith affect his path to the French crown?
How did Sully improve France’s finances under Henry IV?
How did new roads and canals strengthen trade under Henry IV?
How did the Edict of Nantes bring an end to the Wars of Religion?
How did the Edict of Nantes give Huguenots equal civil rights?
How did the Edict of Nantes restore Catholicism in France?
How did the Peace of Vervins help end the French Wars of Religion?
How did the paulette increase royal income under Henry IV?
How did the paulette make French government offices hereditary?
How was Henry IV related to the Bourbon dynasty?
What happened at the Battle of Coutras in 1587?
What happened at the Battle of Fontaine-Française in 1595?
What religious rights did the Edict of Nantes grant French Protestants?
When did Henry IV rule France?
When did Paris accept Henry IV as king?
Where could Huguenots worship under the Edict of Nantes?
Which battles did Henry IV win against the Holy League?
Which buildings and public works did Henry IV construct or complete in Paris?
Who assassinated Henry IV, and when did the assassination occur?
Who succeeded Henry IV as king of France?
Who was Philippe-Emmanuel, Duke de Mercoeur, and why did he oppose Henry IV?
Who were the three leaders in the War of the Three Henrys?
Why did Henry III ally with Henry of Navarre in 1589?
Why did Henry IV convert to Roman Catholicism in 1593?
Why did Henry IV declare war on Philip II of Spain in 1595?
Why did Henry IV issue the Edict of Nantes in 1598?
Why did Henry IV marry Marie de Médicis in 1600?
Why did Henry IV struggle to gain control of Paris after becoming king?
Why did Henry of Navarre become heir to the French throne in 1584?
Why did Louis XIV revoke the Edict of Nantes in 1685?
Why did Pope Clement VIII lift Henry IV’s excommunication in 1595?
Why did the Holy League oppose Henry IV’s claim to the French throne?
Why was Henry IV preparing a military expedition to Jülich in 1610?
Why were Huguenots allowed to keep fortified towns under the Edict of Nantes?
Who was the Marquis de Lafayette?
What role did Lafayette play in the American Revolution?
How did Lafayette contribute to the French Revolution?
What was Catherine de’ Medici best known for?
Who was Napoleon III?
How did Napoleon III die?
When did Charles de Gaulle become famous?
What were Charles de Gaulle’s policies as president of France?
When did Charles de Gaulle lose power?
Who was Napoleon?

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External Websites

University of Toronto - Centre for Renaissance and Reformation Studies - HENRI IV (Henry Le Grand), King of France and Navarre
World History Encyclopedia - Henry IV of France & the Edict of Nantes
Web Gallery of Art - Biography of Henry IV
The University of Oklahoma - Henry IV: Faithï¿½s Power in Politics
History Today - Papa and his Brood: Henry IV of France

Henry IV

king of France

Also known as: Henri de Bourbon, prince de Béarn, Henri de Navarre, Henry III of Navarre, Henry de Bourbon, Henry of Bourbon, Henry of Navarre, Henry the Great, Henry, prince de Béarn(Show More)

Written by

Raymond Ritter

Attorney. Editor in Chief of the review Pyrénées. Author of Henry IV lui-même; editor of Lettres du cardinal de Florence sur Henri IV et sur la France (1596–1598).

Raymond RitterAll

Fact-checked by

Britannica Editors

Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree....

Britannica Editors

History

Henry IV (born Dec. 13, 1553, Pau, Béarn, Navarre [France]—died May 14, 1610, Paris, France) was the king of Navarre (as Henry III, 1572–89) and the first Bourbon king of France (1589–1610), who, at the end of the Wars of Religion, abjured Protestantism and converted to Roman Catholicism (1593) in order to win Paris and reunify France. With the aid of such ministers as the Duke de Sully, he brought new prosperity to France. Henry...

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