Charles III, Duke of Bourbon facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Charles of Montpensier
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| Duke of Bourbon and Auvergne, Count of La Marche, Clermont-en-Beauvaisis, l'Isle-Jourdain and Forez, Lord of Beaujeu | |
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| Born | 17 February 1490 Montpensier |
| Died | 6 May 1527 (aged 37) Rome |
| Noble family | Bourbon |
| Spouse(s) | |
| Father | Gilbert, Count of Montpensier |
| Mother | Clara Gonzaga |
Charles III, Duke of Bourbon (born February 17, 1490 – died May 6, 1527) was an important French military leader. He was known as the Constable of Bourbon. A "Constable of France" was a very high-ranking military commander. Charles was one of the last powerful lords who dared to challenge the king of France. He led the army of Holy Roman Emperor Charles V. This army famously attacked and looted the city of Rome in 1527, where Charles was killed.
Contents
Early Life and Family
Charles was born in a place called Montpensier. His father was Count Gilbert of Montpensier, and his mother was Clara Gonzaga. Charles was the second son in his family. When his father died in 1496, Charles's older brother, Louis II, became the Count. But Louis II died without marrying in 1501. This meant that Charles became the heir to his family's titles and large lands in Auvergne.
Marriage and Inheritance
Charles married his cousin, Suzanne, Duchess of Bourbon. This marriage was very important for their families. It helped to decide who would inherit the large Bourbon family lands. Suzanne's father, Duke Peter II of Bourbon, had no sons. Charles was the closest male relative in the Bourbon family. Suzanne was the main heir through her family line. By marrying, Charles's claim to be the Duke of Bourbon became very strong. This also made him a very powerful person in France. After another duke, Charles IV, Duke of Alençon, died in 1525, Charles became next in line to the French throne. This was after the three sons of the French King Francis I.
Military Career and Conflict with the King
Charles was already a skilled soldier in the Italian Wars. In 1515, King Francis I made him the constable of France. This was a great honor. Charles was also rewarded for his bravery at the Battle of Marignano. He was made the governor of Milan.
However, King Francis I started to feel uneasy about Charles. Charles was very proud and very rich. The king soon called him back from Milan. He also refused to pay Charles money that he owed him. Charles became even angrier when the king gave a different commander, Charles IV of Alençon, a special role in battles. This role should have gone to Charles of Bourbon.
A Major Dispute
In 1521, Charles's wife, Suzanne, died. This caused a big problem between Charles and King Francis. Suzanne had left all her lands to Charles. But the king's mother, Louise of Savoy, claimed the lands for herself. She said she was the rightful heir. She even suggested that she and Charles should marry to solve the problem. Charles refused because Louise was much older than him.
Before the legal case was even decided, King Francis took some of Charles's lands. Charles felt there was no hope of winning. So, he made a secret agreement to join forces with the king's enemy, Emperor Charles V. The Emperor, Charles of Bourbon, and King Henry VIII of England planned to divide France. But this plan was discovered. Charles was stripped of his titles and declared an enemy of the state. He fled to Italy in 1523 and began working for the Emperor.
The Sack of Rome
In 1524, Charles led an army that pushed the French out of Lombardy. He also fought in the important Battle of Pavia. The Emperor then gave Charles command of a large army. This army was made up of Spanish and German soldiers. They were sent to deal with Pope Clement VII.
However, the Emperor did not give this army enough money or food. Charles could only keep his soldiers together by promising them riches from looting. Even though the Pope made a truce with the Emperor, the army kept moving. They reached Rome in May 1527. Charles was killed outside the city walls. Some say the artist Benvenuto Cellini fired the shot that killed him. With Charles gone, the army had no one to control them. This led to the terrible sack of Rome, where the city was looted.
Legacy and Succession
Charles and Suzanne had three children, but none of them lived past their first year. Because Charles died in battle and had been declared an enemy of the state, his main family line of dukes of Bourbon ended. His lands were taken away. However, some of his lands, like the county of Montpensier, were later given back to his sister, Louise. She was married to Louis, Prince of La Roche-sur-Yon. The Montpensier family line continued through Louise's children.
Images for kids
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Charles of Bourbon, Duke of Montpensier
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A 19th-century portrait of Charles III, Duke of Bourbon, in battle armor.
See also
In Spanish: Carlos III de Borbón para niños
