431 years ago today, on February 27, 1594 (January 8, 1594 lunar calendar), Henry IV ascended to the throne of France and began the rule of the Bourbon Dynasty. Henry IV (France) Henry IV (December 13, 1553 - May 14, 1610), (King of France 1589-1610) Also known as Henrile Grand or Henride Navarre of Navarre, King of France (reigned 1589-1610), King of Navarre (called Enrique III, from 1572). Founder of the Bourbon Dynasty in France. Originally king of the small and poor Kingdom of Navarre in southern France, a distant relative of the French royal family of Valois. He fought as a Protestant leader in the Huguenot Wars of Religion provoked by die-hard Catholics in 1562. With his outstanding military skills and good at exploiting the contradictions of the enemy, he became the last person to laugh in the civil war. He was crowned King of France in 1589 and began the Bourbon Dynasty on February 27, 1594. The performance of the queen is even more proof of Henry IV's foresight. Henry was the third son of Antoine de Bourbon, Duke of Vendome, and his mother was Jeanne Dabrett (Juana III), Queen of Navarre. He was born in Pau on the French-Spanish border. He was involved in the brutal religious wars of France since his youth. As the leader of the Huguenots, he gradually gained a high reputation. But after the massacre of St. Bartholomew, he was placed under house arrest in the French court, under the patronage of King Charles IX. In 1584, he became the rightful heir to the French throne due to the death of Crown Prince Franc ̧ ois, Duke of Alençon. He became king of France after the assassination of Henry III in 1589. Henry IV ended the religious wars that had plagued France for many years. With the death of their leader, Duke Henry, the Guise family, which had long dominated French politics, could no longer be an obstacle to peace. France's economy developed during his reign. Henry IV became a much-loved monarch. In 1610, Henry IV was assassinated by a man said to be a monarchist, Franc ̧ ois Lavalek. Note: Three different people in the history of "Henry IV", in France, Germany, and England. Henry IV Henrile Grand (France, 13 December 1553 - 14 May 1610), Henry IV Heinrich IV (Germany, 11 November 1050 - 7 August 1106), Henry IV (England, 3 April 1367 - 20 March 1413). Lineages of the French Bourbon Dynasty (Orthodox) (see next page) Henry IV June 9, 1572 - May 14, 1610 Louis XIII May 14, 1610 - May 14, 1643 Louis XIV May 14, 1643 - September 1, 1715 Louis XV September 1, 1715 - May 10, 1774 Louis XVI May 10, 1774 - August 10, 1792 Louis XVII January 21, 1793 - June 8, 1795 After Louis XVI's execution, some royalists claimed that his eldest son, Crown Prince Louis-Charles, was Louis XVII of France. But by then France was a republic, and this claim was of no practical effect. The first restoration of the Bourbon Dynasty Louis XVIII May 2, 1814 - March 13, 1815 The second restoration of the Bourbon Dynasty Louis XVIII (restoration) July 8, 1815 - September 16, 1824 Charles X September 16, 1824 - August 2, 1830 Louis XIX August 2, 1830 - August 2, 1830 When Charles X abdicated, he announced that he would abdicate with his son, Prince Louis-Antoine, for Louis XIX, but Louis XIX immediately gave way to Louis-Philippe, so some people believe that Louis XIX was not on the throne. The Bourbon Orthodox heir, Count Henri V Chambord, June 3, 1844 - August 24, 1883, Count Jean III of Montizon August 24, 1883 - November 21, 1887 Charles XI Duke of Madrid, Duke of Anjou November 21, 1887 - July 18, 1909 Jacques I Duke of Madrid, Duke of Anjou July 18, 1909 - October 2, 1931 Charles XII Duke of St. Jaime, Duke of Anjou October 2, 1931 - September 29, 1936 Alphonse I King of Spain September 29, 1936 - February 28, 1941 Henri VI Prince of Spain, Duke of Segovia, Duke of Anjou February 28, 1941 - March 20, 1975 Alphonse II Duke of Cadiz, Duke of Anjou March 20, 1975 - January 30, 1989 Louis XII Dukes of Anjou and Bourbon Reign since January 30, 1989