Nicholas Francis, Duke of Lorraine facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Nicholas Francis |
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| Duke of Lorraine and Bar | |
| Reign | 19 January 1634 – 1 April 1634 |
| Predecessor | Charles IV |
| Successor | Charles IV |
| Born | 6 December 1609 |
| Died | 25 January 1670 (aged 60) |
| Burial | 4 July 1670 |
| Spouse |
Claude Françoise of Lorraine
(m. 1634; died 1648) |
| Issue Detail |
Charles V, Duke of Lorraine Anne Marie Thérèse of Lorraine |
| House | Lorraine |
| Father | Francis II, Duke of Lorraine |
| Mother | Christina of Salm |
| Religion | Roman Catholic |
Nicholas Francis (French: Nicolas François; born December 6, 1609 – died January 25, 1670), also known as Nicholas II, was a duke who ruled Lorraine and Bar for a very short time in 1634. He became duke when his older brother stepped down. Nicholas Francis then stepped down himself soon after. His short rule happened during a time when France invaded Lorraine as part of the Thirty Years War.
He is an important ancestor for the later rulers of the Habsburg-Lorraine family, including the Emperors of Austria.
Contents
Early Life and Church Career
Nicholas Francis was the youngest son of Duke Francis II, Duke of Lorraine and his wife, Christina of Salm. He was born on December 6, which is the feast day of Saint Nicholas, and was named after the saint.
Because it seemed unlikely he would become duke, Nicholas Francis was expected to join the church. In 1619, he was made a coadjutor bishop of Toul. This meant he was chosen to help the current bishop and would take over the position later. He became the bishop in 1624, even though he was very young and had not yet become a priest.
He studied philosophy and theology at the University of Pont-à-Mousson from 1622 to 1629. He returned to Nancy in June 1629. He even wrote a special paper about the sacrament of penance, which was printed in 1627. After he was made a cardinal, he had private lessons from two Jesuit priests.
Nicholas Francis was also given control of several abbeys. This was a way to earn money without having to do much work. He was also sent on important missions by his brother, Charles IV, Duke of Lorraine, and by King Louis XIII of France.
Becoming a Cardinal and Duke
On January 19, 1626, Nicholas Francis was secretly made a cardinal by the Pope. This appointment was not announced publicly until August 30, 1627. He never received the special red hat that cardinals wear, nor was he given a specific church to oversee.
In 1634, his brother Charles was pressured to give up his title as Duke of Lorraine. So, Nicholas Francis became the new duke. He wrote to Pope Urban VIII on March 4, 1634, saying he wanted to stop being a cardinal. This was because he planned to marry his cousin, Claude Françoise of Lorraine. They married on February 17 or 18.
On March 8, 1634, the Pope officially removed him from his cardinal title and from being the bishop of Toul. The Pope told all the other cardinals about this decision on March 22, 1634.
Short Reign and Exile
Right after Nicholas became duke, the French army invaded Lorraine. They forced the new duke to sign a treaty that allowed them to occupy his duchy. In April 1634, Nicholas Francis had to flee Lorraine and go into exile.
Soon after, he decided to give up his title as duke. He returned the claim to the duchy to his older brother, Charles. However, Charles was not able to return to rule Lorraine until 1661, except for one short period.
Family and Issue
Nicholas Francis married his first cousin, Claude Françoise of Lorraine. She passed away in 1648. They had five children:
- Ferdinand Philippe (born December 29, 1639 – died April 1, 1659). He was the Hereditary Prince of Lorraine.
- Charles Léopold (born April 3, 1643 – died April 18, 1690). He later became Duke of Lorraine. He married Eleonora Maria of Austria and had children.
- Anne Eléanore (born May 12, 1645 – died February 28, 1646). She died when she was a baby.
- Anne Marie Thérèse (born July 30, 1648 – died June 17, 1661). She became an abbess, which is the head of a convent of nuns. She did not have any children.
- Marie Anne (born July 30, 1648). Her date of death is not known.
See also
- Dukes of Bar
