[Born at Pau, in France, 1553. Assassinated in Paris, 1610. Aged 57.]
Educated in the reformed religion by his mother, Jeanne d’Albret, he
became head of the Huguenot party: as such he took part in the civil
wars, which arose in the reign of Henry III., and was in consequence
excommunicated by Pope Sixtus V. Acknowledged King of France by a
portion of the French army after the death of Henry III., he took arms
against the League, vanquished its followers in several engagements, and
finally entered Paris, after professing his adherence to the Roman
Catholic faith. In the reign of Henry IV. the humane Edict of Nantes,
which gave toleration to Protestantism, was promulgated, and the
sagacious reforms of the Minister Sully, a Protestant, helped largely to
the restoration of order, and to the development of the public
resources. The arsenals were replenished, roads and canals were made,
taxation was reduced, and the industry of the people fostered. Whilst
this salutary work was going on, and Henry IV. and his. Minister were
negociating the most important treaties with the various powers of
Europe, in order to establish a general confederacy and a lasting peace,
the monarch fell by the knife of Ravaillac, a fanatic. Henry IV. was an
unfaithful husband, and unstable in his religion. He had many
mistresses, and he twice abjured his faith: but he was the author of the
edict of Nantes.
305A. HENRY IV. _King of France._
[A very elegant statuette of the time. The head beautifully
sculptured, and evidently a good portrait.]