Henry II of Navarre facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Henry II |
|
|---|---|
Portrait by unknown French artist
|
|
| King of Navarre | |
| Reign | 12 February 1517 – 25 May 1555 |
| Predecessor | Catherine |
| Successor | Jeanne III |
| Born | 18 April 1503 Sangüesa |
| Died | 25 May 1555 (aged 52) Hagetmau |
| Spouse | |
| Issue | Jeanne III, Queen of Navarre Jean of Navarre |
| House | Albret |
| Father | John III of Navarre |
| Mother | Catherine of Navarre |
| Religion | Roman Catholic, although strongly sympathized with Calvinists throughout his life |
Henry II (born April 18, 1503 – died May 25, 1555) was a king of Navarre. He was sometimes called Sangüesino because he was born in the town of Sangüesa. He became King of Navarre in 1517.
However, by then, most of his kingdom had been taken over by Spain in 1512. So, Henry II ruled only a small part of Navarre, located north of the Pyrenees mountains. He became king after his mother, Queen Catherine, passed away. His father, King John III, had died a year earlier.
After his father, King John III, died in 1516, his mother, Queen Catherine, also passed away in 1517. Henry was then declared the new King of Navarre. He had a special crowning ceremony in a place called Lescar.
At this time, Ferdinand II of Aragon and later his grandson Charles V also claimed to be the rightful rulers of Navarre. But Henry II had the strong support of Francis I of France, who was a powerful ally.
Henry II was only thirteen years old when he became king in February 1517. His older sister, Anne of Navarre, helped him rule as his regent until he turned fifteen. On April 18, 1518, he was officially old enough to rule on his own. Because Henry was often away from Navarre, his sister Anne continued to help manage the kingdom when he was not there.
In 1521, Henry and his French allies tried to take back the parts of Navarre that Spain had conquered. However, their efforts were stopped by Charles V's forces after a big fight called the Battle of Noain in June 1521.
In 1525, Henry was captured during a battle called the Battle of Pavia. But he managed to escape by disguising himself. In 1526, he married Margaret, who was the sister of King Francis I of France.
Later, in 1530, a peace agreement called the Treaty of Cambrai was signed. Because of this treaty, Charles V gave back the northern part of Navarre, known as Lower Navarre, to Henry. The border between Lower and Upper Navarre is now the border between France and Spain.
Henry was known to have some sympathy for the Huguenots, who were French Protestants. He could speak both French and Spanish very well. Henry II died in Hagetmau on May 25, 1555.
Marriage and Children
In 1526, Henry II married Margaret of Angoulême, who became known as Marguerite de Navarre. She was born on April 11, 1492, and died on December 21, 1549.
Together, they had two children:
- Jeanne III of Navarre (born November 16, 1528 – died June 9, 1572). She later became the mother of Henry IV of France.
- John (born July 7, 1530 – died December 25, 1530).
See also
In Spanish: Enrique II de Navarra para niños
