King Charles IX Photos

French King Charles IX reigned 1560-1574. Charles IX became King at Age 10 after the death of his older brother, François II. Due to his youth, his mother, Catherine de' Medici, became regent with sweeping powers as she had for his older brother. Her regency formally ended in 1863, but Catherine continued to dominate her son in affairs of state. Charles IX's reign was the period of the French Wars of Religion between Catholics and Huguenots, French adherents of Calvinism. Both sides engaged in frequent violence, with periods of uneasy peace followed by renewed outbreaks of fighting. Charles IX died at Age 23 without a legitimate son, and the crown passed to his younger brother.